Chair pad system and associated, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for monitoring and improving health and productivity of employees

ABSTRACT

Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for sensing health characteristics of a user using a chair pad including a set of health sensors integrated therewith and including temperature sensors, body position sensors, and body fat sensors. A method for sensing health characteristics of a user including receiving, from the temperature sensors, temperature data corresponding to a sensed body temperature of the user, receiving, from the body position sensors, body position data corresponding to a sensed body position of the user, receiving, from the body fat sensors, body fat data corresponding to a sensed body fat of the user, and transmitting, to a computer workstation, health data corresponding to the temperature data, the body position data, and the body fat data for use in determining the body temperature, the body position, and the body fat of the user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/180,529 filed on Feb. 14, 2014 and titled “CHAIR PAD SYSTEM ANDASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORMONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, which isa divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/540,095 filed onJul. 2, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,120) which claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/504,638 filedon Jul. 5, 2011 and titled “SYSTEM, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT ANDCOMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR IMPROVING AND MONITORING THE HEALTH ANDPRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/659,831 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 and titled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUMAND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH ANDPRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/659,790 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 and titled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUMAND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING COGNITIVEAND EMOTIVE HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/659,796 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 and titled “COMPUTER MOUSE SYSTEMAND ASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORMONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,800 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 andtitled “CHAIR PAD SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM ANDCOMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH ANDPRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/659,807 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 and titled “FLOOR MAT SYSTEM ANDASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORMONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,810 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 andtitled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORMONITORING AND IMPROVING BIOMETRIC HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,818 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 andtitled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORMONITORING AND IMPROVING BIOMECHANICAL HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES”, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,824 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 andtitled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORCOACHING EMPLOYEES BASED UPON MONITORED HEALTH CONDITIONS USING ANAVATAR”, the disclosures of which are each hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to health monitoring in the workplace and more particularly to chair pad systems, machines andassociated non-transitory computer medium having computer programinstructions stored thereon, and computer-implemented methods formonitoring the health of employees.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A major concern among employers is the issue of presenteeism, or thephenomena that, while employees may be at work, health problems such as,lower back pain, fatigue, high blood pressure and obesity, keep themfrom working optimally, and cause a rapid rise in employee healthcarecosts. Many human resource (“HR”) executives consider presenteeism aproblem in their companies, estimating an annual cost to companies ofover $180 billion/year, and a per employee cost between $22 and $157annually. Moreover, presenteeism appears to be a problem at over 50% ofworkplaces. In 2006, 56% of HR executives viewed it as a problem, whileonly 39% of HR managers found it to be a problem in 2004. Because suchhealth problems may be caused by a combination of employee lifestyle andwork practices, workplace health programs have been employed to makeemployees aware of sound health and ergonomic practices in an effort topromote employee health and help lower employer costs.

Unfortunately, even if employees are made aware of sound health andergonomic practices, employees often slip back into poor health andergonomic practices while engrossed in their day-to-day work activities.The current state of the art solution to address these issues includeshealth programs that rely on periodic tests to assess employee healthand ergonomics. Such tests typically require employees to expend a greatdeal of effort to participate in the programs. For example, healthprograms may monitor the employee's health via test conducted in testfacilities at discrete testing times (e.g., quarterly or annual healthtests). Unfortunately, the presence of traditional health testingequipment and personnel may be overly burdensome in the user's workenvironment. For example, health testing personnel located in theemployee's office to monitor a set of sensors may be distracting.Moreover, the ability to monitor a plurality of employees throughouttheir workday may be difficult or impossible due to constraints on thenumber of health personnel available. Thus, existing health programs mayrequire the employee to take time out of their day to attend a healthtest, existing health programs may not assess the employee in theirday-to-day work environment, and existing health programs may notprovide continuous feedback that can be used to dynamically adjust theemployee's day-to-day activities and/or may not be able to rapidlyidentify and predict health issues based on changes in the employee'shealth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant has recognized the need for a health monitoring system thatprovides for assessment of employees in their day-to-day workenvironment, that reduce the effort required to take part in a healthprogram, that continuously monitors the employees' health in theirday-to-day work environments, that rapidly identifies and predictshealth issues for the employees, and that provides frequent (e.g.real-time) feedback that can be used dynamically adjust the employee'sday-to-day activities to improve the employees' health and/or to helpprevent the predicted health issues from escalating into an actualhealth conditions. Applicant has recognized that, although existinghealth programs provide some level of health monitoring, thecomplexities associated with employees having to proactively take partin health tests may reduce employee involvement in the health programs.For example, employees may decide to forgo a health program in view ofthe time and effort required to engage in health tests at a testingfacility. Moreover, the infrequent nature of the health tests mayinhibit the ability of existing health programs to promptly identify andpredict health issues (e.g., health risks such as injury or disease).For example, semi-annual test may not be able to identify changes in theemployee's health that can occur within days or weeks, such as sickness,short term injuries, and diseases that manifest themselves over a shortperiod. Thus, existing health programs fail to provide a framework forcontinuously acquiring health data that can be used to rapidly identifychanges in the employee's health over relatively short periods of time.Applicant has recognized that such shortcomings have failed to beaddressed by others, and has recognized that such shortcomings may beaddressed by a system that can continuously collect employee health datawhile employees are situated in their day-to-day work environment (e.g.,at the employees' offices), that can process the health data to assessthe employees' current health and predict potential health issues, andthat can provide feedback indicative of the employees' current healthand predict potential health issues such that the employees can takeproactive measures to address their current health conditions andprevent the predict potential health issues. In view of the foregoing,various embodiments of the present invention advantageously providesystems, machines, non-transitory computer medium having computerprogram instructions stored thereon, and computer-implemented methodsfor monitoring the health of employees in their work environment usingvarious sensors disposed about their work environment, for determiningemployee health profiles (e.g., including existing or predicted healthconditions/risks and health plans to guide the employee with regard to ahealthy lifestyle) based on the health data, and for providing feedbackto communicate the determined health profile and associated information.

In some embodiments, provide is a system for monitoring an employee'shealth while the employee is working at a including a workstationsurface located above and parallel to a floor, a computer workstationand a chair located on the floor adjacent to the workstation surface.The chair having a seat portion and a back portion. The system includinga chair pad in communication with the computer workstation and includinga seat-pad configured to be disposed in the seat portion of the chairand a back-pad portion configured to be disposed on the back portion ofthe chair. At least one of the seat-pad and the back-pad of the chairpad including a set of health sensors integrated therewith for detectingbiometric and biomechanical characteristics of the employee's health.The set of health sensors including one or more temperature sensors, oneor more position sensors, and one or more body fat sensors The set ofhealth sensors configured to output health sensor data including oftemperature data output by one or more of the temperature sensors thatis indicative of a body temperature of the employee, position dataoutput by one or more of the position sensors that is indicative of thebody position of the employee, and body fat data output by one or moreof the body fat sensors that is indicative of a body fat of theemployee. The system including a database in communication with acommunications network and storing health information associated withone or more employees, and a computer server in communication with thecommunication network. The computer server configured to serve, to thecomputer workstation for display to the employee, health profileinformation for the employee. The computer server including anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, an input/output (I/O)device interface and a processor. The I/O device interface connectingthe computer server to the communications network and the non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium having a set of computer readableinstructions stored thereon that are executable by the processor tocause the computer server to perform the steps of collecting, via thecommunications network, the health sensor data output by the set ofhealth sensors of the chair pad, and determining an updated healthprofile for the employee using the health sensor data collected. Theupdated health profile including health characteristics for the employeeincluding one or more of a body temperature, a body weight, a body fat,and a body position for the employee determined using the health sensordata collected, and a health plan for the employee based on one or moreof the health characteristics determined using the health sensor datacollected. The computer readable instructions executable by theprocessor to cause the computer server to perform the steps updating thehealth information stored in the database to reflect the updated healthprofile for the employee, and serving, for display to the employee viathe computer workstation, the updated health profile for the employee.

The step of collecting, via the communications network, the healthsensor data output by the set of health sensors of the chair padincludes, in some embodiments, identifying a need to initiate a healthtest using a predetermined test schedule that specifies times at whichthe health sensor data needs to be collected from the health sensors, inresponse to identifying a need to initiate a health test using apredetermined test schedule that specifies times at which the healthsensor data needs to be collected from the health sensors, querying thecomputer workstation for the health sensor data corresponding to thehealth test where the computer workstation is configured to collect thehealth sensor data from the set of health sensors of the chair pad, andreceiving, from the computer workstation and via the communicationsnetwork, the health sensor data corresponding to the health test.

In some embodiments, the chair pad includes a chair pad controllerconfigured to receive the temperature data output by one or more of thetemperature sensors, the body position data output by one or more of thebody position sensors, and the body fat data output by one or more ofthe body fat sensors, and transmit, to the computer workstation, healthdata corresponding to the received temperature data, body position data,and body fat data received, wherein the computer workstation isconfigured to transmit health data corresponding to the health datareceived to the computer server.

In certain embodiments, the chair pad controller is wirelessly connectedto the computer workstation, and the health data corresponding to thereceived temperature data, body position data, and body fat datareceived is transmitted from the chair pad controller to the computerworkstation via the wireless connection.

In some embodiments, the one or more temperature sensors include one ormore temperature transducers located in at least one of a right portionof the seat-pad, a left portion of the seat-pad, a right portion of theback-pad, and a left portion of the back-pad such that a temperature ofat least one of the employee's right buttocks/upper-leg, leftbuttocks/upper-leg, right back, or left back is sensed while theemployee is seated in the chair.

In some embodiments, the one or more position sensors include one ormore forces transducers located in at least one of a right portion ofthe seat-pad, a left portion of the seat-pad, a right portion of theback-pad, and a left portion of the back-pad such that a force of atleast one of the employee's right buttocks/upper-leg, leftbuttocks/upper-leg, right back, or left back is sensed while theemployee is seated in the chair.

In certain embodiments, the one or more body fat sensors include one ormore conductive contacts located in at least one of a right portion ofthe seat-pad, a left portion of the seat-pad, a right portion of theback-pad, and a left portion of the back-pad such that body fat acrossat least one of the employee's right buttocks/upper-leg and leftbuttocks/upper-leg, right back and left back, right buttocks/upper-legand right back, and left buttocks/upper-leg and left back is sensedwhile the employee is seated in the chair.

In some embodiments, the seat-pad of the chair pad is integrated into anupper seating surface of the chair seat portion and the back-pad of thechair pad is integrated into a front surface of the chair back portion.

In some embodiments, provided is a chair pad for sensing healthcharacteristics of a user. The chair pad including a chair padcontroller, a seat-pad configured to be disposed on a seat portion of achair; a back-pad configured to be disposed on a back portion of thechair, and a set of health sensors integrated within at least one of theseat-pad and the back-pad. The set of health sensors including one ormore temperature sensors configured to sense a body temperature of theuser. The chair pad controller being configured to transmit temperaturedata corresponding to the sensed body temperature to a computerworkstation for use in determining the body temperature of the user. Theset of health sensors including one or more body position sensorsconfigured to sense a body position of the user. The chair padcontroller being configured to transmit body position data correspondingto the sensed body position to the computer workstation for use indetermining the body position of the user. The set of health sensorsincluding one or more body fat sensors configured to sense body fat ofthe user. The chair pad controller configured to transmit body fat datacorresponding to the sensed body fat to the computer workstation for usein determining the body fat of the user.

In some embodiments, the one or more temperature sensors include one ormore temperature transducers located in at least one of a right portionof the seat-pad, a left portion of the seat-pad, a right portion of theback-pad, and a left portion of the back-pad such that a temperature ofat least one of the user's right buttocks/upper-leg, leftbuttocks/upper-leg, right back, or left back is sensed while the user isseated in the chair.

In certain embodiments, the one or more position sensors include one ormore forces transducers located in at least one of a right portion ofthe seat-pad, a left portion of the seat-pad, a right portion of theback-pad, and a left portion of the back-pad such that a force of atleast one of the user's right buttocks/upper-leg, leftbuttocks/upper-leg, right back, or left back is sensed while the user isseated in the chair.

In some embodiments, the one or more body fat sensors include one ormore conductive contacts located in at least one of a right portion ofthe seat-pad, a left portion of the seat-pad, a right portion of theback-pad, and a left portion of the back-pad such that body fat acrossat least one of the user's right buttocks/upper-leg and leftbuttocks/upper-leg, right back and left back, right buttocks/upper-legand right back, and left buttocks/upper-leg and left back is sensedwhile the user is seated in the chair.

The chair pad controller being configured to, in some embodiments,receive a request for health data from the computer workstation, and, inresponse to receiving a request for health data from the computerworkstation collect the temperature data from the one or moretemperature sensors, the body position data from the one or more bodyposition sensors, and the body fat data from the one or more body fatsensors, and transmit, to the computer workstation, health datacorresponding to the temperature data, the body position data, and thebody fat data for use in determining the body temperature, the bodyposition, and the body fat of the user.

In some embodiments, provided is a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium including program instructions for use in monitoring anemployee's health while the employee is working at a workstationincluding one or more of a workstation surface located above andparallel to a floor, a computer workstation and a chair located on thefloor adjacent to the workstation surface. The chair having a seatportion and a back portion. The computer program instructions beingexecutable by a computer processor to cause the steps of activating setof health sensors integrated with a chair pad connected to acommunications network via the computer workstation. The chair padincluding a seat-pad configured to be disposed in the seat portion ofthe chair and a back-pad configured to be disposed on the back portionof the chair, with at least one of the seat-pad and the back-pad of thechair pad including the set of health sensors integrated therewith fordetecting biometric and biomechanical characteristics of the employee'shealth. The set of health sensors including one or more temperaturesensors, one or more position sensors, and one or more body fat sensors.The set of health sensors configured to output health sensor dataincluding of temperature data output by one or more of the temperaturesensors that is indicative of a body temperature of the employee,position data output by one or more of the position sensors that isindicative of the body position of the employee, and body fat dataoutput by one or more of the body fat sensors that is indicative of abody fat of the employee. The computer program instructions beingexecutable by a computer processor to cause the steps of collecting, viathe communications network, the health sensor data output by the set ofhealth sensors of the chair pad, and determining an updated healthprofile for the employee using the health sensor data collected. Theupdated health profile including health characteristics for the employeeincluding one or more of a body temperature, a body weight, a body fat,and a body position for the employee determined using the health sensordata collected, and a health plan for the employee based on one or moreof the health characteristics determined using the health sensor datacollected. The computer program instructions being executable by acomputer processor to cause the steps of updating the health informationstored in the database to reflect the updated health profile for theemployee, and serving, for display to the employee via the computerworkstation, the updated health profile for the employee.

In some embodiments, provided is a computer-implemented method forsensing health characteristics of a user using a chair pad including aseat-pad configured to be disposed on a seat portion of a chair, aback-pad configured to be disposed on a back portion of the chair, and aset of health sensors integrated within at least one of the seat-pad andthe back-pad. The set of health sensors including one or moretemperature sensors configured to sense a body temperature of the user,one or more body position sensors configured to sense a body position ofthe user, and one or more body fat sensors configured to sense body fatof the user. The computer-implemented method including receiving, fromthe one or more temperature sensors, temperature data corresponding to asensed body temperature of the user, receiving, from the one or morebody position sensors, body position data corresponding to a sensed bodyposition of the user, receiving, from the one or more body fat sensors,body fat data corresponding to a sensed body fat of the user, andtransmitting, to a computer workstation, health data corresponding tothe temperature data, the body position data, and the body fat data foruse in determining the body temperature, the body position, and the bodyfat of the user.

Accordingly, as will be described herein below, embodiments of thesystem, computer program instructions and associatedcomputer-implemented methods allow for monitoring of the employee'shealth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theinvention, as well as others, which will become apparent, may beunderstood in more detail, a more particular description of theinvention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to theembodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings,which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however,that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of the inventionand are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scopeas it may include other effective embodiments as well.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an employee heath monitoringsystem in accordance with one more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an employee workstationconnected to a server in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates components of an employeecomputer in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary workstationenvironment in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a workstation includingintegrated sensors in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of various embodiments of a chair anda chair pad specially adapted to include sensors for use in monitoringan employee's health in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6D is a block diagram that illustrates components of the chair padin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6E is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary chair padsystem in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6F is a flowchart that illustrates a method of operating the chairpad in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a floor mat specially adapted toinclude sensors for use in monitoring an employee's health in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a block diagram that illustrates components of the floor matin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7C is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary floor matsystem in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7D is a flowchart that illustrates a method of operating the floormat in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A-8C are side and end elevation views of a mouse speciallyadapted to include sensors for use in monitoring an employee's health inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8D is a block diagram that illustrates components of the mouse inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8E is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary mouse systemincluding a blood pressure cuff physically connected to the mouse inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8F is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary mouse systemincluding a blood pressure cuff wirelessly connected to the mouse inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8G is a flowchart that illustrates a method of operating the mousesystem in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9A is a front view of a three-dimensional (“3D”) position sensorfor use in monitoring an employee's health in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a block diagram of components of the 3D position sensor inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9C is a flowchart that illustrates a method of operating the 3Dposition sensor in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a neuro-headset for use in monitoringan employee's health in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10B is a top-view of an employee's head that illustrates exemplaryneural sensor locations about the employee's head in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10C is a block diagram that illustrates components of theneuro-headset in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10D is a flowchart that illustrates a method of operating theneuro-headset in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10E is a perspective view of a chair specially adapted to includeneural sensors for use in monitoring an employee's health in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates a method of acquiring healthdata in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12A is a block diagram illustrating components of a server inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a flowchart that illustrates a method of monitoring theemployee's health in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13A is a block diagram illustrating dataflow within the healthmonitoring system in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13B illustrates an exemplary health report in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary database structure of health information inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart that illustrates an interactive health monitoringmethod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a screen-shot that illustrates a login screen in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a screen-shot that illustrates a home page screen inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a screen-shot that illustrates an edit profile dialog inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for providing aninteractive health dashboard in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for displaying aprofile tab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a screen-shot that illustrates an exemplary display of aprofile tab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for displaying a testtab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are screen-shots that illustrate exemplary displays ofa test tab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for conducting a healthtest in accordance with one or more embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 25A and 25B include a flowchart that illustrates a method fordisplaying an interactive report tab in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26A to 26K are screen-shots that illustrate exemplary displays of areport tab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 27 is a screen-shot that illustrates an exemplary display of areviewer interface in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart that illustrates a method of assessing healthinformation for a plurality of employees in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a screen-shot that illustrates an exemplary display of areviewer homepage screen in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein, rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In view of the Applicant's recognition of the issues associated withpresenteeism, the Applicant engaged in investigations to assess theimpact of “wellness programs” on the health of employees. One internalstudy conduct indicated that certain wellness programs improvedproductivity, improved work factors, and reduced employee's risks fordisease. The study involved tracking a population of 1,157 employeesfrom 2005-2011. The results of the study indicate a shift of employeesfrom higher risk categories (e.g., a high risk category for employee'sdiagnosed as being at risk for three or more conditions, such as risksfor chronic disease such as high blood pressure (BP), inactive, highbody mass index (BMI), high fat percentage, or the like) to lower riskcategories (e.g., a low risk category for employee's diagnosed as beingat risk for one or no conditions). More specifically, the results of thestudy indicated a reduction of the number of employees in a high riskcategory (e.g., for employee's diagnosed as being at risk for three ormore conditions) by 49.6%, a reduction of the number of employees in amedium risk category (e.g., for employee's diagnosed as being at riskfor two or more conditions) by 0.4%, and an increase in the number ofemployees in a low risk category (e.g., for employee's diagnosed asbeing at risk for one or no conditions) by 12.6%. The results of theinternal study also estimated a 6.4% reduction in medical claims cost(e.g., a cost savings of approximately $3.4M for the study population of1,157 employees) that can be attributable to the wellness program andassociated reduction in risks.

Related internal studies have also indicated that such wellness programshave a positive impact on employee work factors, including stressmanagement, job satisfaction, work engagement and productivity. Forexample, results of the study indicate that 60% to 75% of the employeesagree with the position that the wellness programs provided improvementsin each of stress management, job satisfaction, work engagement andproductivity, with only about 7% to 12% of the employees disagreeingwith the position that the wellness programs provided improvements ineach of the areas.

The Applicant has recognized that such study results demonstrate thepotential effectiveness of wellness programs in reducing health risks,improving employee's work factors, and reducing health costs toemployers. Based at least in part on the recognition of the benefits ofemployee health programs as well as the limitations of existing healthprograms, the Applicant has recognized the need for improved employeehealth programs that can provide increased health and economic benefitsto employees and employers, and has developed a specially adapted healthmonitoring system and related methods that further assist in monitoringthe employee's health and solving limitations of traditional healthmonitoring programs.

In some embodiments, provided is an employee health monitoring systemthat provides for monitoring of an employee's health, that providesfeedback to the employee regarding the current status of their health,that provides the employee with information to guide the employee in ahealthy lifestyle, and that provides the employee with reinforcinginformation to encourage the employee to continue to engage in thehealthy lifestyle.

In certain embodiments, monitoring of the employee's health includesmonitoring the employee while they are engaged in their day-to-day workactivities within their work environment. In some embodiments, variousmonitoring devices (e.g., health sensors) are placed in the employee'swork environment to collect health data that can be used to assessvarious biometric and biomechanical characteristics (e.g.,characteristics, conditions and risks) of the employee, such as theemployee's body weight, body temperature, body fat percentage, heartrate, blood pressure, blood glucose level, blood oxygenation level, bodyposition/posture, eye fatigue, neural activity, emotions, thoughts,facial movements/expressions, motor skills, and the like. In certainembodiments, the monitoring devices are integrated with the employee'sworkstation (e.g., in and around the employee's desk and computerworkstation) such that the employee's health can be monitored withoutrequiring the employee to leave their workstation to take part in ahealth test/exam. In some embodiments, for example, health sensors areintegrated with a chair, a floor, a computer mouse, or the like locatedin and around the employee's workstation. In certain embodiments, thehealth sensors provide multiple points of contact with the employee forcollecting health data (e.g., at least five points of contact, includinga first point of contact with the head/eyes, a second point of contactwith arms/hands, a third point of contact with torso/back/legs, a fourthpoint of contact with feet of the employee, and a fifth point of contactwith the head/brain of the employee).

In some embodiments, the health data collected and/or the healthcharacteristics/conditions identified can be used to identify/predicthealth risks for the employee, such as risks for obesity, injury,diabetes, infection, circulation problems, cardiovascular disease,cardiovascular accidents (e.g., stroke or heart attack), back injury,eye disease, depression, fatigue, and/or the like. In certainembodiments, health risks are determined via predictive analytics thatuse employee's current and/or historical healthcharacteristics/conditions. For example, where the recent health datafor an employee indicates a trend of increasing body weight for anemployee, it may be predicted that the employee is at risk for becomingobese within a given time period. In some embodiments, an alert may beprovided to the employee to make them aware of the predictions/risks.For example, the employee may be presented with a listing of risks thatcorrespond to predicted health issues. Such predictions andcorresponding alerts may enable the employee to proactively improvetheir health before the associated risks escalate to a critical level.For example, as a result of a prediction and alert that communicates tothe employee that they are at risk for becoming obese, the employee mayhave the motivation needed to change their eating and exercise habits toavoid actually becoming obese. Thus, the system may provide anenvironment for proactively predicting and responding to health risksbefore they escalate into actual health conditions.

In some embodiments, the health data, characteristics, conditions and/orrisks are used to generate health plans for the employee. In certainembodiments, the health plans include preventative health plans thatprovide guidance to reduce health risks and/or promote a healthylifestyle. In some embodiments, the health plans provide a suggestednutrition plan and/or a suggested exercise regime. In certainembodiments, the employee health monitoring system provides coaching(e.g., suggestions) to help the employee follow through with the healthplan. In some embodiments, the health data, characteristics, conditionsand/or plans may be logged over time to generate a health profile forthe employee.

In some embodiments, the employee health monitoring system provides forautomated health testing based on a predetermined schedule. In certainembodiments, for example, automated health test are executedcontinuously (e.g., constantly from Sam to 5 pm) or at regular intervals(e.g., hourly from Sam to 5 pm). Such embodiments may enable theemployee's health to be monitored passively, with little to no effortfrom the employee. In some embodiments, the employee health monitoringsystem provides for manually initiated health testing. In certainembodiments, for example, an employee may select to initiate a healthtest. Such embodiments may enable employees to take a more active rolein the monitoring of their health.

In some embodiments, the results of the health tests are provided to theemployee for review. In certain embodiments, for example, the healthmonitoring system provides a health report including the employee'shealth profile information (e.g., the health data collected, the healthcharacteristics/conditions, and/or the health risks for the employee).In some embodiments, the health report is accessible by the employee attheir work computer (e.g., via a desktop widget, an interactivedashboard, and/or the like) such that the employee can view the resultsat their convenience throughout the workday. Such embodiments may enablethe employee to receive real-time feedback regarding their health andimmediately make corresponding adjustments throughout the workday. Insome embodiments, the results of the health tests are provided to theemployer or other interested parties (e.g., a physician) for review.Such embodiments may enable the employer to monitor the health of someor all of their employees such that they can readily identify healthconcerns/trends and take action to alleviate those concerns/trends,thereby improving the work environment for the employees.

In some embodiments, the health monitoring system monitors the healthprofile information to identify whether the employee is experiencing ahealth crisis (e.g., a stroke or heart attack) and, in the instance theemployee is experiencing a health crisis, transmits correspondingalerts. In certain embodiments, for example, upon determining that theemployee is having a heart attack based on the results of a health test,the health monitoring system may forward an alert to emergency responsepersonnel (e.g., police, fire, emergency medical technicians (“EMT's”)or the like). Such embodiments may help to ensure that the employeereceives prompt medical treatment in the event of a medical emergency atthe workplace.

Embodiments of the health monitoring system may provide a workenvironment that promotes employee involvement in monitoring theirhealth via a non-intrusive health testing environment that enables theemployee's health to be monitored from the convenience of theirworkstation. Moreover, embodiments of the health monitoring system mayprovide feedback that informs the employee of their current health, thatidentifies/predicts health risks and goals based on the employee'shealth and provides guidance to reduce the employee's health risks andattain the identified health goals. Although some of the embodiments aredescribed with regard to health data collected via a workstation (e.g.,via sensors disposed about an employee's office), similar embodimentsmay be employed using health data collected from any variety of sources.For example, the health data may be collected from an employeeworkstation, from a mobile device that is capable of collecting healthdata from the employee while they are working remotely (e.g., at ajobsite), at the workstation and/or traveling there between, and anyvariety of other sources of health data. In such embodiments, the healthreport and the resulting reports, interactive dashboard displays and/orthe like may be generated based on health data collected from anyvariety of sources (e.g., the workstation, mobile device and/or thelike) such that the employee's health is monitored while they arelocated in a variety of locations and conditions. Such embodiments mayprovide a thorough representation and analysis of the employee's healthwhen they are located at a workstation and/or away from the workstation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an employee heath monitoringsystem (“system”) 100 in accordance with one more embodiments of thepresent invention. As depicted, system 100 may include one or moreemployee workstations 102, one or more employer workstations (e.g.,employer computers) 103, a server 104, a file server 106 coupled to adatastore 108, and a web server 110 connected to remote workstation 112(e.g., remote computers). In some embodiments, the entities of thesystem 100 are communicatively coupled via a network 118. Datastore 108may store health information 109 (e.g., personal profile information,health profile information, and/or the like) for one or more employees.

In some embodiments, the network 118 includes an element or system thatfacilitates communications between entities of system 100. For example,the network 118 may include an electronic communications network, suchas the Internet, a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area (“WAN”), awireless local area network (“WLAN”) a cellular communications networkor the like. In some embodiments, the network 118 includes a singlenetwork or combination of networks. For example, the employeeworkstations 102, the employer workstation 103, the server 104, the fileserver 106, and/or the web server 110, may be networked using aprivate/LAN, with the remote computers 112 (e.g., employee homecomputers, emergency personnel computer devices, or the like) connectedto the web server 104 via a WAN.

As described in more detail below, the employee workstations 102 mayinclude health sensors (“sensors”) 120 and/or an employee computerworkstation (“employee computer”) 130 for collecting employee healthdata that may be employed by the server 104 for use in monitoring anemployee's health. In some embodiments, the employee workstations 102are located in or include traditional employee work environments (e.g.,an employee's office employee's office, cubicle, assigned station on anassembly/manufacturing line, or the like) such that the sensors 120 maycollect health data from the employee while the employee is working intheir work environment.

In some embodiments, the health data may include measurements that canbe used to assess various biometric aspects of the employee's health,such as one or more of body temperature, body weight, body fat, heartrate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation (e.g.,blood oxygenation), blood glucose level, neural/brain activity, and/orthe like. In some embodiments, the health data may include measurementsthat can be used to assess various biomechanical aspects of theemployee's health, such as one or more of body position, posture, muscletension, eye fatigue, facial expression, motor skills, and/or the like.Sensors that are used to acquire measurements for use in assessingvarious biometric aspects of the employee's health may be referred to as“biometric sensors”. Sensors that are used to acquire measurements foruse in assessing various biomechanical aspects of the employee's healthmay be referred to as “biomechanical sensors”. Sensors that are used toacquire measurements that are indicative of both biometric andbiomechanical aspects of the employee's health may be referred to as“biometric” and/or “biomechanical” sensors.

As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, the employeecomputer 130 may provide for collecting health data from the varioussensors 120 and/or forwarding corresponding health data to the server104 for use in monitoring an employee's health. For example, in responseto determining that employee health data needs to be collected (e.g.,based on a request from the server 104, based on a request from theemployee, a predetermined test schedule, or the like), the employeecomputer 130 may monitor sensors 120 to collect health data (e.g.,measurements) from the sensors 120, and forward the health data toserver 104 for use in monitoring the health of the employee. Althoughcertain embodiments are described herein with regard to the employeecomputer 130 forwarding health data to the server 104, it will beappreciated that in other embodiments, some or all of the health data isprovided directly to the server 104 (i.e., without having to pass thedata through the employee computer 130). For example, the sensors 120may be communicatively coupled to the server 104 via the network 118(e.g., via a WLAN) such that they can transmit heath data directly tothe server 104.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an employee workstation 102connected to the server 104 in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present invention. In some embodiments the employee workstation102 includes an employee computer 130 communicatively coupled to one ormore of the sensors 120 for collecting employee health data 200. Forexample, employee the computer 130 may be communicatively coupled to oneor more temperature sensors (e.g., thermocouples, IR sensors, etc.) 202,one or more blood condition sensors (e.g., pule oximeters) 204, one ormore blood pressure sensors (e.g., blood pressure cuffs) 206, one ormore position sensors (e.g., force transducers) 208, one or more bodyfat sensors (e.g., conductive contacts) 210, one or morethree-dimensional (“3D”) position sensors (e.g., 3D image/video sensors)212, one or more audio sensors (e.g., microphone) 214, one or morerespiration sensors 216, one or more neural sensors 218, and/or the likefor collecting corresponding health data 200 (e.g., measurements)therefrom. In some embodiments, the health data 200 includes temperaturedata 200 a, blood condition data 200 b, blood pressure data 200 c,position data 200 d, body fat data 200 e, 3D position data 200 f, audiodata 200 g, respiration data 200 h and/or neural data 200 i collectedfrom corresponding one of the sensors 120. The health data 200 may beprovided to the server 104 for use in monitoring the employee's health.

In some embodiments, the employee computer 130 is communicativelycoupled to the sensors 120 via a wired connection. For example, some orall of the sensors 120 may include a communication cable extendingbetween the respective sensor 120 and the employee computer 130. In someembodiments, employee computer 130 is communicatively coupled to thesensors 120 via a wireless connection. For example, some or all of thesensors 120 may communicate with the employee computer 130 via awireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection, a wireless connectionto a WLAN of network 118, and/or the like). In some embodiments, theheath data 200 is transmitted from the sensors 120 to the employeecomputer 130 via the wired or wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetoothconnection, a WLAN of network 118, and/or the like). In someembodiments, the health data 200 is transferred between devices of thesystem 100 via a physical memory medium such as a universal serial bus(“USB”) memory stick (e.g., a flash drive). For example, the health data200 acquired from the sensors 120 may be downloaded from the sensors 120and/or the employee computer 130 to a USB memory stick and may beuploaded from the USB memory stick to another device of the system 100,such as the employee computer 130, the employer computer 103, and/or thesever 104.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates components of the employeecomputer 130 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, the employee computer 130 includes amemory 300, a processor 302 and an input/output (I/O) interface 304.

The memory 300 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, ROM,PROM, EPROM, EEPROM memory), volatile memory (e.g., random access memory(RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM)), bulk storage memory (e.g., CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM,hard-drives), or the like. The memory 300 may include a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium having program instructions 306 storedthereon that are executable by a computer processor (e.g., the processor302) to cause the functional operations (e.g.,methods/routines/processes) described herein with regard to the employeecomputer 130. The program instructions 306 may include an employeecomputer module 308 including program instructions that are executableby the processor 302 to provide some or all of the functionalitydescribed herein with regard to the employee computer 130.

The processor 302 may be any suitable processor capable ofexecuting/performing program instructions. The processor 302 may includea central processing unit (CPU) that carries out program instructions(e.g., program instruction of the employee computer module 308) toperform arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of theemployee computer 130, including those described herein.

The I/O interface 304 may provide an interface for connection of one ormore I/O devices to the employee computer 130. I/O devices may includeperipherals 310, sensors 120, the server 104, and/or the like. Theperipherals 310 may include, for example, graphical user interfacedisplays (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD)monitor), pointing devices (e.g., a computer mouse or trackball),keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice recognitiondevices, gesture recognition devices, printers, audio speakers,microphones, cameras, and/or the like. The I/O devices (e.g., theperipherals 310, the sensors 120, and the server 104) may be connectedto the I/O interface 304 via a wired or wireless connection.

The employee computer 130 may be employed to collect health data 200from the various sensors 120 and/or forward corresponding health data200 to the server 104 for use in monitoring the employee's health. Forexample, in response to determining that health data 200 (e.g.,temperature data 200 a, blood condition data 200 b, blood pressure data200 c, position data 200 d, body fat data 200 e, 3D position data 200 f,audio data 200 g, respiration data 200 h, and/or neural data 200 i)needs to be collected, the employee computer 130 may employ one or moreof the sensors 120 capable of sensing/acquiring the needed health data200 to acquire the needed health data 200, the employee computer 130 maycollect/store the acquired health data 200 (e.g., store/queue theacquired health data 200 in the memory 300), and the employee computer130 may forward the acquired health data 200 to the server 104 for usein monitoring the employee's health.

In some embodiments, the employee computer 130 processes theraw/acquired health data 200 to generate the corresponding processedhealth data 200. For example, where the employee computer 130 receivesraw health data (e.g., temperature data 200 a including a voltageindicative of a sensed temperature), the employee computer 130 mayprocess the raw health data 200 to generate a corresponding value (e.g.,using a look-up table, equation or the like to identify a temperaturevalue corresponding to the voltage) that may be included in the healthdata 200 transmitted to the server 104. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the health data 200 may include the raw/acquired healthdata (e.g., a voltage value) and/or the processed health datacorresponding thereto (e.g., the temperature value corresponding to thevoltage value). Similar processing may be provided for other type ofdata measurements.

In some embodiments, the employee computer 130 forwards the health data200 as the corresponding health data 200 is received. For example, theemployee computer 130 may receive health data 200 from the sensors 120and immediately forward the health data with little to no delay suchthat continuous stream of health data is provided to the server 104 foruse in monitoring the employee's health. In some embodiments, theemployee computer 130 stores (e.g., queues or buffers) the health data200 for transmission at a later time. For example, where a test routinerequires that the employee computer 130 transmits a batch of the healthdata 200 at the end of a test cycle, transmits a batch of the healthdata 200 on a regular interval (e.g., every ten minutes), or the like,the health data 200 received may be stored in memory 300 of the employeecomputer 130 and may be queued or buffered in the memory 300 fortransmission as a batch of health data 200 to server 104 at the end ofthe test cycle, at the regular interval, or the like.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 202 includes thermocouples,IR sensors, or the like. During use, the temperature sensor 202 maytransmit health data 200 indicative of a temperature sensed by thetemperature sensor 202 (e.g., a temperature measurement). For example,where a temperature sensor 202 is positioned to acquire the employee'sbody temperature at a given location (e.g., at their, hand, back, or thelike), the employee computer 130 may receive, from the temperaturesensor 202, temperature data 200 a indicative of the temperature (e.g.,37° C. (98.6° F.) at the given location.

In some embodiments, a blood condition sensor 204 includes pulseoximeters, blood glucose testing devices and/or the like. The Bloodcondition sensor 204 may include, for example, the OctiveTech™ 300IHPulse Oximeter manufactured by Nellcor™ or the BCI™ 3301 Hand Held PulseOximeter manufactured by Smiths Medical™. During use, the employeecomputer 130 may receive health data 200 indicative of bloodcharacteristics sensed by the blood condition sensor 204. For example,where a pulse oximeter is positioned about the employee's fingertip, theemployee computer 130 may receive, from the pule oximeter, bloodcondition data 200 b indicative of various aspects of the employee'sblood, such as the oxygenation (e.g., 95% oxygenation) at the employee'sfingertip.

In some embodiments, a blood pressure sensor 206 includes blood pressurecuffs and/or the like. The Blood pressure sensor 206 may include, forexample, the UA-789PC Extra Large Cuff sold by LifeSource™ and theCMS-08A Professional Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor manufactured byCMS™. During use, the employee computer 130 may receive health data 200indicative of the employee's blood pressure sensed by the blood pressuresensor 206. For example, where a blood pressure cuff is positioned aboutthe employee's wrist/arm, the employee computer 130 may receive, fromthe blood pressure cuff, blood pressure data 200 c indicative of theemployee's blood pressure (e.g., 90/60 mmHg).

In some embodiments, a position sensor 208 includes force transducers,such as strain gauges, load cells and/or the like. During use, employeecomputer 130 may receive health data 200 indicative of the force sensedby the position sensor 208. For example, where a load cell is positionedin the employee's chair and the employee is seated in the chair, theemployee computer 130 may receive, from the load cell, position data 200d indicative of the force sensed by the load cell that can be used todetermine the weight of the employee (e.g., 56.5 kg (124.6 lbs.).

In some embodiments, a body fat sensor 210 includes conductive contactsthat can be used to sense resistivity in the employee's body tissueand/or the like. During use, the employee computer 130 may receivehealth data 200 indicative of the employee's body fat sensed by the bodyfat sensor 210. For example, where conductive contacts are positioned inthe seat of the employee's chair and the employee is seated in thechair, the employee computer 130 may receive, from the conductivecontacts, body fat data 200 e including a resistance measurement acrossthe conductive contacts that is indicative of the body fat of theemployee.

In some embodiments, a 3D position sensor 212 includes 3D cameras or thelike that can be used to sense the employee's body position. During use,the employee computer 130 may receive health data 200 indicative of thephysical position of the employee as sensed by the 3D position sensor212. For example, where a 3D position sensor 212 includes a video camerapositioned such that the employee is within the camera's field of view,the employee computer 130 may receive, from the 3D camera, 3D positiondata 200 f (e.g., a three-dimensional image/video) indicative of theposition (e.g., head, arm, hand, torso, leg, and feet position and/orposture) of the employee.

In some embodiments, an audio sensor 214 includes a microphone or thelike for acquiring audio data (e.g., words spoken by the employee).During use, the employee computer 130 may receive health data 200indicative of the audio data sensed by the audio sensor 214. Forexample, where the audio sensor 214 includes a microphone, the employeecomputer 130 may receive, from the audio sensor 214, audio data 200 g(e.g., an audio feed) indicative of words spoken by the employee.

In some embodiments, respiration sensor 216 includes a device forsensing the employee's respiration rate (e.g., number of breaths takenwithin a set amount of time, typically sixty seconds. During use, theemployee computer 130 may receive health data 200 indicative of therespiration rate (“RR”) of the employee sensed by the respiration sensor216. For example, the employee computer 130 may receive, from therespiration sensor 216, respiration data 200 h indicative of number ofbreaths taken by the employee over sixty seconds (e.g., 15 breaths perminute).

In some embodiments, the neural sensor 218 includes a device (e.g., anelectrode) for sensing brain activity (e.g., neural activity) of theemployee. In some embodiments, the neural sensors 218 may employelectroencephalography (“EEG”) to measure neuro-signal voltagefluctuations resulting from ionic current flows within the neurons ofthe brain. EEG may refer to recording of the brain's spontaneouselectrical activity over a short period of time (e.g., twenty-fortyminutes) from a plurality of the neural sensors 218 disposed on theemployee's scalp. For example, a plurality of the neural sensor 218(e.g., sixteen neural sensors/channels) may be disposed about theemployee's scalp to detect neuro-signals (e.g., including alpha, beta,gamma, and delta waves) that can be used to determine the employee'sbrain state, including, for example, their emotional state (e.g., happy,sad, excited, etc.), thoughts (e.g., cognitive thoughts, subconsciousthoughts, intent, etc.), facial movements (e.g., facial expressions),motor functions and/or the like. During use, the employee computer 130may receive health data 200 indicative of the employee's neural activitysensed by the plurality of neural sensors 218. For example, the employeecomputer 130 may receive, from the neural sensors 218, neural data 200 iindicative of the sensed neuro-signals. In some embodiments, neuralsensors 218 may include dry electrodes that can be used to sense neurosignals. Such dry electrodes may require minimal or no skin preparationfor disposing the contact on the employee's scalp. As described herein,neural sensor 218 maybe provided via a headset and/or in varioussurfaces that contact/support the employee's head, such as a headrest ofa chair/seat.

In some embodiments, some or all of the sensors 120 may be locatedthroughout the employee's workstation 102 and surrounding workstationenvironment. For example, various ones of the sensors 120 may be locatedat or near the employee's desk, chair, computer, or the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary workstationenvironment 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, the workstation environment 400includes a location at which the employee 401 spends some or all oftheir work day (e.g., eight hours or more). For example, the workstationenvironment 400 may include the employee's office, the employee'scubicle, the employee's assigned station on an assembly/manufacturingline, or the like. In some embodiments, the workstation environment 400includes an employee workstation 102. The workstation 102 may includedevices, furniture and the like that facilitate the employee inaccomplishing their work duties. For example, the workstation 102 mayinclude a workstation surface 402 (e.g., a desk), floor 403, a chair404, and the employee computer 130. In some embodiments, the employeecomputer 130 may include various peripherals, such as a computer mouse(“mouse”) 408, a computer keyboard 410, a computer display (e.g.,computer monitor) 412, an audio headset 414 (e.g., a Bluetooth headsetincluding a speaker and/or a microphone), or the like.

In some embodiments, the area around the workstation 102 may define aworkstation zone 420. In some embodiments, the workstation zone 420includes an area (e.g., a three-dimensional region) in which theemployee typically resides during some or all of their workday. Forexample, as depicted by the dashed lines of FIG. 4, the workstation zone420 may include the region immediately in front of the computer display412 and including the location of the employee's chair 404. As theemployee 401 may be expected to spend a great deal of time within thezone 420, the zone 420 may be a region in which it is desirable togather information (e.g., health data) relating to the employee'sactions and general health while located therein.

The workstation 102 may include one or more of the sensors 120 foracquiring health data relating to the employee's actions and generalhealth while located in or near zone 420. In some embodiments, thesensors 120 include one or more biometric and/or biomechanical sensors.For example, the sensors 120 may include one or more temperature sensors(e.g., thermocouples, IR sensors, etc.) 202, one or more blood conditionsensors (e.g., pule oximeters) 204, one or more blood pressure sensors(e.g., cuff) 206, one or more position sensors (e.g., force transducers)208, one or more body fat sensors (e.g., conductive contacts) 210, oneor more 3D position sensors (e.g., video sensors) 212, one or more audiosensors (e.g., microphones) 214, one or more respiration sensors 216,one or more neural sensors (e.g., electrodes) 218 and/or the like forsensing health data 200 indicative of the employee's biometric health(e.g., the employee's body temperature, body weight, body fat, heartrate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, blood oxygenation, blood glucoselevel, neural activity, and/or the like) and/or biomechanical health(e.g., the employee's body position, posture, muscle tension, eyefatigue, facial expression, motor skills, and/or the like).

In some embodiments, various sensors 120 are integrated withareas/components of the workstation 102. For example, one or moretemperature sensors 202, body fat sensors 210, position sensors 208,and/or the like may be integrated with the chair 404 (e.g., via a chairpad system (“chair pad”) 450 disposed on or integrated with theemployee's chair 404). As another example, one or more temperaturesensors 202, body fat sensors 210, position sensors 208, and/or the likemay be integrated with the floor 403 underfoot of the employee (e.g.,via a floor mat system (“floor pad”) 460 disposed on or integrated withthe floor 403 of the workstation environment 400). As yet anotherexample, one or more temperature sensors 202, blood condition sensors204, blood pressure sensors 206 and/or the like may be integrated withthe mouse 408 or other peripheral devices of the employee computer 130(e.g., via a mouse system 470). As another example, one or more neuralsensors 218 may be integrated into a neuro-headset system(“neuro-headset”) 480 worn on the head of the employee.

FIG. 5 is a is a block diagram that illustrates a workstation 102including integrated sensors 120 in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. Such an integration of the sensors120 within the workstation environment may help to reduce the physicalprofile of the sensors 120, reduce distractions to the employee 401 thatmay otherwise be caused by the presence of the sensors 120 and/orenhance the ease of use to the employee 401 by allowing the health data200 to be acquired while the employee is engaging in their day-to-daywork duties. For example, the sensors 120 may be able to passivelyacquire health data 200 without requiring the employee to take specialefforts to engage in a health test.

Chair Pad:

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of the chair 404 and the chair pad 450specially adapted to include sensors 120 for use in monitoring anemployee's health in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. As depicted, the chair 404 may include a seat 602, aback 604 and a pedestal 606. The seat 602 may include an upper/seatingsurface 602 a, a right side 602 b, a left side 602 c, a front side 602 dand a back side 602 e. The back 604 may include a front surface 604 a, aright side 604 b, a left side 604 c, a top side 604 d and a bottom side604 e.

In some embodiments, the chair 404 includes the chair pad 450 disposedthereon and including various sensors 120 (e.g., see FIGS. 6A, 6B and6C). In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 is disposed across one ormore surfaces of the chair 404 such that the employee comes into contactwith the sensors 120 of the chair pad 450 while seated in the chair 404.For example, the chair pad 450 may include a seat-pad 610 that is adisposed across upper/seating surface 602 a of seat 602 and/or aback-pad 612 disposed across front surface 604 a of back 604. Seat-pad610 may support or otherwise contact the employee's upper-legs and/orbuttocks while seated in chair 404. Back-pad 612 may support orotherwise contact the employee's back while seated in chair 404.

In some embodiments, the seat-pad 610 and the chair-pad 612 arecommunicatively coupled. For example, a wired connection may be providedbetween the seat-pad 610 and the back-pad 612 to facilitate thetransmission of power to the various sensors 120 and/or a chair padcontroller 650. A wired or wireless connection may be provided betweenthe seat-pad 610 and the back-pad 612 to facilitate communication ofcontrol signals, the health data 200 sensed by the sensors 120, and/orthe like between the various sensors 120 and/or a chair pad controller650.

In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 includes two separate portionsdisposed on the seat 402 and back 404 of the chair 304. For example, asdepicted in FIG. 6A, the chair pad 450 includes a seat-pad 610 coupledto the seat 602 of the chair 404 and a separate back-pad 612 coupled tothe back 604 of the chair 404. Such an embodiment may be beneficial asit may reduce the weight/profile of the chair pad 450 as it does notinclude additional material that may increase the weight of the chairpad 450 or interfere with the employee's work duties while seated in thechair 404.

In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 includes a contiguous padincluding two conjoined portions disposed on the seat 402 and the back404 of the chair 304. For example, as depicted in FIG. 6B, the chair pad450 may include a contiguous elongated pad having the seat-pad 610coupled to the seat 602 of the chair 404, the back-pad 612 coupled tothe back 604 of the chair 404 and an intermediate pad portion 613spanning the distance between the seat-pad 610 and the back-pad 612.Such an embodiment may be beneficial as it provides a single unit thatcan be transported easily. Moreover, where a wired connection isprovided between the seat-pad 610 and the chair-pad 612, the wires maybe disposed with the intermediate pad portion 613, thereby reducing oreliminating exposed wiring that may otherwise interfere with theemployee's work duties while seated in the chair 404. Where, asdescribed herein, the chair pad 450 includes a wireless connection toexternal devices (e.g., the employee computer 130) and a battery 651 forpowering the components of the chair pad 450, the contiguous pad mayinclude a completely self-contained unit including the sensors 120, thechair pad controller 650, and the battery 651, wiring (e.g., between thesensors 120, the chair pad controller 650, and/or the battery 651) ishoused within a shell/cover/casing 616 of the chair pad 450. Such anembodiment may be aesthetically pleasing as it appears to be a simplechair pad (e.g., with no external wiring or components) disposed on thechair 404. Moreover, such an embodiment may eliminate exposed wiring orcomponents that may otherwise interfere with the employee's work dutieswhile seated in the chair 404.

In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 includes various sensors 120 thatcan be used to collect heath data 200. For example, the chair pad 450may include one or more temperature sensors 202, body fat sensors 210,position sensors 208, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the varioussensors 120 of the chair pad 450 may sense/measure various aspects ofthe employees biometric and/or biomechanical health and may transmitcorresponding health data 200 (e.g., temperature data 200 a, positiondata 200 d, body fat data 200 e, and/or the like) to another device ofsystem 100 (e.g., to a chair pad controller, to the employee computer130 and/or the server 104) for use in monitoring the employee's health.

In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 includes one or more temperaturesensors 202 disposed within the seat-pad 610 and/or the back-pad 612.For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the chair-pad 450 includes atemperature sensor 202, including two temperature transducers 620,disposed on a front surface of the back-pad 612. The temperaturetransducers 620 may include infrared sensors, thermocouples and/or thelike adapted to sense the employee's body temperature and transmitcorresponding temperature data 200 a to the chair pad controller, theemployee computer 130 and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, the temperature transducers 620 are centered orapproximately centered on back-pad 612 such that the temperaturetransducers 620 contact an employee's back while the employee is seatedin the chair 404. For example, a pair of the temperature transducers 620may be provided on the back-pad 612 approximately equidistant from thetop-side 604 d and the bottom-side 604 e of the back 604 of the chair404, with the two temperature transducers 620 approximately centeredabout a back-midline 626 that approximately bisects the back 604 of thechair 404 such that a first of the two temperature transducers 620 isdisposed to the left of the back-midline 626 (e.g., closer to aleft-side 604 c of the back 604 of the chair 404) and a second of thetwo temperature transducers 620 is disposed to the right of theback-midline 626 (e.g., closer to a right-side 604 b of the back 604 ofthe chair 404). A measurement from the temperature transducers 304 canbe used for determining a temperature at the location of each therespective temperature transducers 620 using techniques that are knownto those skilled in the art. For example, where the temperaturetransducers 620 include a thermocouple, a voltage (V) measurement fromeach of the temperature transducers 620 can be used to determine atemperature at the location of each of the respective temperaturetransducers 620 using techniques that are known to those skilled in theart.

Although the illustrated embodiment includes two temperature transducers620 disposed on the back-pad 604, other embodiments may include anynumber of temperature transducers 620 located in any variety of suitablelocations. In some embodiments, one or more temperature transducers 620may be centered or approximately centered on the seat-pad 610 and/or theback-pad 612 such that the employee's body temperature at the respectivelocations can be determined. For example, an additional pair oftemperature transducers 304 may be approximately centered in seat-pad610 (e.g., in a location that is the same or similar to the illustratedlocations of contact points 624). In such a configuration, the employeemay contact some or all of the four temperature transducers 304 whileseated in chair 104.

In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 includes one or more positionsensors 208 disposed within the seat-pad 610 and/or the back-pad 612.For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the chair pad 450 includes aposition sensor 208, including force transducers 622, disposed on anupper surface of the seat-pad 610 and the front surface of the back-pad612. Force transducers 622 may include a load cell, a strain gauge, orthe like adapted to sense force and transmit corresponding position data200 d (e.g., indicative of the forces sensed) to the chair padcontroller, the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104. In someembodiments, such position data 200 d may be used to determine thephysical position of the employee within the chair 404, the employee'sweight or the like using techniques that are known to those skilled inthe art. For example, the position data 200 d may be used to determinewhen the employee is seated in the chair 404 (e.g., when the forcesensors 208 in the seat-pad 610 sense a force), when the employee isleaning against the back 604 of the chair 404 (e.g., when the forcesensors 208 in the back-pad 612 sense a relatively high force indicativeof the employee resting against the back 602), or the like. In additionto the position data 200 d (e.g., from the force transducers 622), otherdata (e.g., temperature data 200 a from the temperature transducers 620)may be used to determine how the employee is positioned in the chair 404(e.g., whether the employee is reclining (e.g., by detecting an increasein the force and/or temperature sensed by the force transducers 622and/or the temperature transducers 620 located in the back-pad 612).

Although the illustrated embodiment includes force transducers 622disposed on the seat-pad 610 and the back-pad 612, other embodiments mayinclude any number of force transducers 622 located in any variety ofsuitable locations. For example, a force transducer(s) 622 may belocated on one of the seat-pad 610 or the back-pad 612. In someembodiments, multiple force transducers 622 are located in the seat-pad610 and/or the back-pad 612. For example, force transducers 622 may beprovided in locations similar to those described herein with regard tothe temperature transducers 620 and/or the contact points 624. In anembodiment where multiple force transducers are provided, the system 100may be able to more accurately determine how the employee is positionedwithin the chair. For example, where four force transducers 622 areprovided on the left and right sides of the seat-pad 610 and theback-pad 612, the forces sensed by the transducers may be used todetermine whether the employee is leaning to one side based on forcetransducers 622 on that side sensing a higher force than the forcetransducer 622 on the opposite side. In some embodiments, forcetransducers 622 are disposed on toward the front 602 d and/or the back602 e of the seat-pad 610 to enable a determination of whether theemployee is leaning backward or forward in their chair (e.g., sitting onthe edge of their chair). For example, where force transducers 622 areprovided on the front and back of the seat-pad 610, the forces sensed bythe force transducers 622 may be used to determine whether the employeeis leaning forward or backwards based on the front force transducer 622sensing a higher force than the back force transducer 622 indicative ofthe employee leaning forward in the chair 404 and/or the rear forcetransducer 622 sensing a higher force than the front force transducer622 indicative of the employee leaning back in the chair 404.

In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 includes one or more body fatsensors 210 disposed within seat-pad 610 and/or back-pad 612. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the chair-pad 450 includes abody fat sensor 210, including two conductive (e.g., metallic) contactpoints 624, disposed on an upper surface of the seat pad 610. Body fatsensor 210 may sense resistivity between the contacts 624 and transmitcorresponding body fat data 200 e. For example, where the body fatsensor 210 is disposed on a seating surface of the chair 404 such thatthe two contact points 624 contact the employee's upper legs and/orbuttocks region, a current may be induced between the metallic contactpoints 624 to sense/measure a resistivity between the contact points(e.g., through the employee's body tissue) and body fat data 200 eindicative of the resistivity measurement may be forwarded to the chairpad controller, the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, the contact points 624 are approximately centeredon the seat-pad 610 such that they contact the backside of theemployee's right and left legs and/or the right and left portions of theemployee's buttocks while the employee is seated in the chair 404. Forexample, the contact points 624 may be centered on the seat-pad 610 suchthat they are approximately equidistant from the front side 602 d andthe back side 602 e of the seat 404, with the two contact points 624approximately centered about a seat-midline 628 that approximatelybisects the seat 602 such that a first of the two contact points 624 isdisposed to the right of the seat-midline 628 (e.g., closer to aright-side 602 b of the seat 404) and a second of the two contact points624 is disposed to the left of the seat midline 626 (e.g., closer to theleft-side 602 c of the seat 602 of the chair 404). In such aconfiguration, the employee may sit across both of the contact points624 such that the first and second of the contact points 624 contact thebackside of the employee's right and left legs/buttock, respectively,and a resistivity measurement between the contact points 624 can besensed/measured for use in assessing the employee's body fat or relatedhealth information. For example, a current (I) may be induced betweenthe two contact points 624, a voltage (V) between the two contact points624 can be sensed/measured, the current (I) and voltage (V) can be usedto determine a resistance/resistivity (R) through the portion of theemployee's body spanning the contact points 624, e.g., using theequation Voltage (V)=Current (I)*Resistance (R), and the determinedresistivity measurement can be used to determine the employee's body fatusing techniques that are known to those skilled in the art.

Although the illustrated embodiment includes a body fat sensor 210including two contact points 624 disposed on the seat 602 of the chair404, other embodiments may include one or more body fat sensors 210including any number of contact points 624 located in any variety ofsuitable locations. In some embodiments, one or more contact points 624are provided on each of the seat-pad 610 and the back-pad 612 such thatthe employee's body fat can be determined using a resistivitymeasurement between the contact point(s) 624 positioned at theemployee's back (e.g., contact point(s) on back-pad 612) and/or bottom(e.g., contact point(s) 624 on seat-pad 610). For example, a pair ofcontact points 624 may be provided on the back-pad 612 (e.g., in alocation that is the same or similar to the illustrated locations oftemperature transducers 620). In such a configuration, the employee maycontact some or all four contact points 624 while seated in the chair404. Thus, for example, resistivity measurements can be determinedbetween the right and left contact points 624 of the back 604 of thechair 404, between the right contact points 624 of the seat 602 and theback 604 of the chair 404, and/or between the left contact points 624 ofthe seat 602 and the back 604 of the chair 404.

In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 includes a cable 630 that can becoupled to an external device (e.g., the employee computer 130) forcommunicating data and/or receiving power. For example, the cable 630may include a USB cable that is plugged into a USB port of the I/Ointerface 304 of the employee computer 130. The chair pad 450 mayreceive power via the cable and/or may transmit health data 200 via thecable. In some embodiments, the chair pad 350 may have a wirelessconnection (e.g., Bluetooth connection, WLAN connection, or the like)with the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104. In such anembodiment, the chair pad 450 may also include the battery 651 for apower source such that the chair pad 450 is not physically tethered tothe employee computer 130 or other components of system 100.

In some embodiments, the surface of the chair 404 includes sensors 120integrated therein in a similar manner to the chair pad 450 such thathealth data 200 may be acquired without the need for a separate chairpad 350. For example, as depicted in FIG. 6C, the chair 404 may includesensors 120 (e.g., temperature sensors 202, positions sensors 208,and/or body fat sensors 210) disposed/integrated in the front surface604 a of the back 604 of the chair 404 and/or the top surface 602 a ofthe seat 602 of the chair 404. Although embodiments are described hereinwith regard to components of the chair pad 450, it will be appreciatedthat similar components may be integrated into the chair 404 to providethe chair 404 with similar functionality described with regard to thechair pad 350. For example, the chair 404 may include a controller 650(e.g., that is the same or similar to the chair-pad controller describedherein) for communicating with the sensors 120 integrated within thechair 404 and/or external devices (e.g., the employee computer 130) anda battery 651 integrated therein for powering the controller 650 and/orthe sensors 120.

FIG. 6D is a block diagram that illustrates components of the chair pad450 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.In some embodiments, the chair pad 450 includes a chair pad controller650 for controlling the operational aspects of chair pad 450. Forexample, the chair pad controller 650 may provide for allocating powerto the various sensors 120 of the chair pad 450, collecting the healthdata 200 from the various sensors 120 of the chair pad 450 and/ortransmitting the collected health data 200 to the employee computer 130and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, the chair pad controller 650 includes a memory 652,a processor 654 and an input/output (I/O) interface 656. The chair padcontroller 650 may be a microcontroller device such asSTMicroelectronics, ST10 (16-bit) and STM32 (32-bit); Atmel, AVR32(32-bit) and AT91SAM (32-bit); Freescale ColdFire (32-bit); HitachiSuperH (32-bit); and the Hyperstone E1/E2 (32-bit, full integration ofRISC and DSP on one processor core), which is adapted for use in thefunctions described herein.

The memory 652 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, ROM,PROM, EPROM, EEPROM memory), volatile memory (e.g., random access memory(RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM)), bulk storage memory (e.g., CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM,hard-drives), or the like. The memory 652 may include a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium having program instructions 658 storedthereon that are executable by a computer processor (e.g., the processor654) to cause the functional operations described herein with regard tothe chair pad 450. The program instructions 658 may include a chair padmodule 660 including program instructions that are executable by theprocessor 654 to provide some or all of the functionality describedherein with regard to the chair pad 450.

The processor 654 may be any suitable processor capable ofexecuting/performing program instructions. The processor 654 may includea central processing unit (CPU) that carries out program instructions(e.g., of the chair pad module 660) to perform arithmetical, logical,input/output and other operations of chair pad 450, including thosedescribed herein.

The I/O interface 656 may provide an interface for connection of one ormore I/O devices to the chair pad controller 650. I/O devices mayinclude the sensors 120 (e.g., temperature sensors 202, position sensors208, and/or body fat sensors 210), power source(s) 662 (e.g., a battery651, AC/DC power delivered via cable 630, or the like), externaldevice(s) 664 (e.g., the employee computer 130 and/or server 104),and/or the like. The I/O devices may be connected to I/O interface 656,via a wired or wireless connection.

FIG. 6E is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary chair padsystem 670 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The chair pad system 670 includes the chair pad 450 having achair pad controller 650 coupled to one or more temperature transducers620, one or more force transducers 622, one or more conductive contacts624, a battery 651, and a wireless antenna 668. In some embodiments, thechair pad controller 650 employs the temperature transducers 620, theforce transducers 622, and/or the conductive contacts 624 to collectcorresponding measurements. For example, where the temperaturetransducer 620 includes a thermocouple, to take a temperaturemeasurement, the chair pad controller 650 may take a voltage measurementacross two leads connected to the thermocouple of the temperaturetransducer 620, the measured voltage being indicative of the temperaturesensed by the temperature transducer 620. Where, for example, the forcetransducers 622 includes a strain gauge, to take a force measurement,the chair pad controller 650 may induce a current (I) across two leadsconnected to the strain gauge and take a measurement of voltage (V)across the two leads to determine a resistance (R) across the two leadsthat is indicative of the force sensed by the force transducer 622. As afurther example, to take a body fat measurement, the chair padcontroller 650 may induce a current (I) across two conductive contacts624 and take a measurement of voltage (V) across the two conductivecontacts 624 to determine a resistance (R) across the contacts 624 thatis indicative of the body fat for the employee. In some embodiments, thebattery 651 provides power to operate the controller 650 and/or providesthe power required to take a measurement from the temperaturetransducers 620, force transducers 622, and/or conductive contacts 624.In some embodiments, the wireless antenna includes a Bluetoothtransceiver or other wireless transceiver for use in communicating withthe employee computer 130 (e.g., via a complementary transceiver ofcomputer 130).

FIG. 6F is a flowchart that illustrates a method 680 of operating thechair pad 450 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. Method 680 may include monitoring the need for health data200, as depicted at block 682. In some embodiments, monitoring the needfor health data includes determining whether or not there is a need tocollect health data 200 (i.e., take a measurement) from one or more ofthe sensors 120 (e.g., the temperature transducers 620, the forcetransducers 622, and/or the conductive contacts 624) of the chair pad450. In some embodiments, the need for health data 200 is identifiedbased on a request from another component of system 100. For example,the chair pad controller 650 may determine that there is a need tocollect health data 200 in response to a request for the health data 200(e.g., a request to initiate a health test and/or a query for the healthdata 200) received from the computer 130, the server 104 and/or theemployee 401.

Where it is determined that health data 200 is not needed, at block 684,method 680 may include returning to monitoring the need for health data200, as depicted at block 682. Where it is determined that health data200 is needed, at block 684, method 680 may include proceeding tomonitoring of the sensors 120 (e.g., the temperature transducers 620,the force transducers 622, and/or the conductive contacts 624) tocollect the health data 200, as depicted at block 686. In someembodiments, monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data 200includes monitoring the particular sensors 120 that provide theparticular health data 200 needed. Where the heath data 200 neededincludes the employee's body temperature, body position and/or body fat,monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data 200 may include,for example, the chair pad controller 650 taking measurements from thetemperature transducers 620, the force transducers 622, and/or theconductive contacts 624, respectively, to collect health data 200including measured voltages indicative of body temperature, measuredresistances indicative of forces, and/or measured resistances indicativeof the employee's body fat.

Method 680 may include storing the health data 200, as depicted at block688. In some embodiments, storing the health data 200 includes storingthe collected health data 200 in local or remote memory. For example,the chair pad controller 650 may store the measured voltages indicativeof body temperature, measured resistances indicative of forces, and/ormeasured resistances indicative of the employee's body fat in the memory652. In some embodiments, storing the heath data 200 includesbuffering/queuing the health data 200 for transmission at a later time.

Method 680 may include transmitting the health data 200, as depicted atblock 690. In some embodiments, transmitting the health data 200 mayinclude transmitting the health data 200 to another component/entity ofsystem 100. For example, the chair pad controller 650 may transmit thehealth data 200 (e.g., collected via the sensors 120 of the chair pad450 and stored in the memory 652), to the computer 130 and/or the server104 for use in monitoring the health of the employee. In someembodiments, the health data 200 is transmitted via a wired or wirelesscommunication. For example, where the chair pad 450 is connected to thecomputer 130 and/or the server 104 via data cables (e.g., via cable 630)the chair pad controller 650, may transmit some or all of the healthdata 200 to the computer 130 and/or the server 104 via the data cables.Where the chair pad 450 is in wireless communication with the computer130 and/or the server 104 (e.g., via Bluetooth connection, WLANconnection, or the like), the chair pad controller 650 may transmit someor all of the health data 200 to the computer 130 and/or the server 104via wireless communication. For example, the chair pad controller 650may communicate the health data 200 to the computer 130 and/or theserver 104 via wireless antenna 668.

In some embodiments, after transmitting the health data 200, method 680may progress back to monitoring the need for health data 682. Where forexample, the request for health data is still active and/or anotherrequest for health data is received, the chair pad controller 650 mayexecute another iteration of monitoring the sensors to collect healthdata, storing the health data and/or transmitting the health data.

It will be appreciated that the method 680 is an exemplary embodiment ofa method that may be employed in accordance with techniques describedherein. The method 680 may be may be modified to facilitate variationsof its implementations and uses. The method 680 may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Some or all of the method680 may be implemented by one or more of the modules/applicationsdescribed herein, such as chair pad module 660. The order of the method680 may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered,combined, omitted, modified, etc.

Floor Mat:

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the floor mat 460 specially adapted toinclude sensors 120 for use in monitoring an employee's health inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Duringuse, the floor mat 460 may be disposed on the floor within theworkstation 102 and the employee may stand on the floor mat 460 orotherwise rest their feet (e.g., with or without their shoes on) on thefloor mat 460. As depicted, the floor mat 460 may include a mat 702. Themat 702 may include an upper surface 702 a, a left side 702 b, a rightside 702 c, a front side 702 d and a back side 702 e.

In some embodiments, the floor mat 460 may include various sensors 120that can be used to collect heath data 200. For example, the floor mat460 may include one or more temperature sensors 202, body fat sensors210, position sensors 208, and/or the like. In some embodiments, thevarious sensors 120 of the floor mat 460 may sense/measure variousaspects of the employees biometric and/or biomechanical health and maytransmit corresponding health data 200 (e.g., temperature data 200 a,position data 200 d, body fat data 200 e, and/or the like) to anotherdevice of system 100 (e.g., to a floor mat controller, the employeecomputer 130 and/or the server 104) for use in monitoring the employee'shealth.

In some embodiments, the floor mat 460 includes one or more temperaturesensors 202 disposed within the mat 702. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the floor mat 460 includes a temperature sensor 202including two temperature transducers 620 disposed on the upper surface702 a of the mat 702. Temperature transducers 620 may include infraredsensors, thermocouples and/or the like adapted to sense the employee'sbody temperature and transmit corresponding temperature data 200 a tothe floor mat controller, the employee computer 130 and/or the server104.

In some embodiments, the floor mat 460 includes one or more positionsensors 208 disposed within the mat 702. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the floor mat 460 includes a position sensor 208 includingforce transducers 622, disposed on the upper surface 702 a of mat 702.Force transducers 622 may include a load cell, a strain gauge, or thelike adapted to sense force and transmit corresponding position data 200d to the floor mat controller, the employee computer 130 and/or theserver 104. In some embodiments, such position data 200 d may be used todetermine the physical position of the employee (e.g., whether theemployees feet are positioned on the mat 702, etc.), the employee's bodyweight and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the floor mat 460 includes one or more body fatsensors 210 disposed within the mat 702. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the floor mat 460 includes a body fat sensor 210 includingtwo conductive (e.g., metallic) contact points 624 disposed on the uppersurface 702 a of the mat 702. The body fat sensor 210 may senseresistivity between the contacts and transmit corresponding body fatdata 200 e to the floor mat controller, the employee computer 130 and/orthe server 104. For example, where the body fat sensor 210 is disposedon the upper surface 702 a of the mat 702, such the two contact points624 contact the employee's feet (e.g., when the employee's shoes areremoved), a current may be induced between the contact points 624 tosense/measure a resistivity there between (e.g., through the employee'slower body tissue) and body fat data 200 e including the resistivitymeasurement may be forwarded to the floor mat controller, the employeecomputer 130 and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, the temperature transducers 620, the forcetransducers 622 and/or the conductive contacts 624 may be centered orapproximately centered on the upper surface 702 a of the floor mat 460such that the temperature transducers 620, the force transducers 622and/or the conductive contacts 624 contact an employee's right and leftfeet/shoes while the employee is seated in the chair 404 or is standingon the floor mat 460. For example, a pair of the temperature transducers620, the force transducers 622 and/or the conductive contacts 624 may beprovided on the upper surface 702 a of the floor mat 460 approximatelycentered about a floor mat-midline 728 that approximately bisects theupper surface 702 a of the floor mat 460 such that a first of thetemperature transducers 620, the force transducers 622 and/or theconductive contacts 624 is disposed to the left of the mat-midline 728(e.g., closer to the left-side 702 b of the floor mat 460) and a secondof the temperature transducers 620, the force transducers 622 and/or theconductive contacts 624 is disposed to the right of the mat-midline 728(e.g., closer to the right-side 702 c of the floor mat 460). Althoughthe illustrated embodiment includes pairs of the temperature transducers620, the force transducers 622 and/or the conductive contacts 624disposed in a symmetric arrangement, other embodiments may include anynumber of the temperature transducers 620, the force transducers 622and/or the conductive contacts 624 provided in any variety of suitablelocations.

In some embodiments, the floor mat 460 includes a cable 730 that may becoupled to an external device (e.g., the employee computer 130) forcommunicating and/or receiving power. For example, the cable 730 mayinclude a USB cable that is plugged into a USB port of the I/O interface304 of the employee computer 130. The floor mat 460 may receive powervia the cable and/or may transmit health data 200 via the cable. In someembodiments, the floor mat 460 may communicate wirelessly (e.g., viaBluetooth, WLAN, or the like) with the employee computer 130 and/or theserver 104. In such an embodiment, the floor mat 460 may also include abattery for a power source such that the floor mat 460 is not physicallytethered to the employee computer 130 or other components of the system100.

Although embodiments are described herein with regard to components ofthe floor mat 460, it will be appreciated that similar components may beintegrated into the floor 403 underfoot of the employee. Suchembodiments may not require the use of a separate floor mat for sensinghealth data.

FIG. 7B is a block diagram that illustrates components of the floor mat460 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.In some embodiments, the floor mat 460 may include a floor matcontroller 750 for controlling the operational aspects of floor mat 460.For example, the floor mat controller 750 may provide for allocatingpower to various sensors 120 of the floor mat 460, collecting healthdata 200 from the various sensors 120 of the floor mat 460 and/ortransmitting the collected health data 200 to the employee computer 130and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, the floor mat controller 750 includes a memory 752,a processor 754, and an input/output (I/O) interface 756. The floor matcontroller 750 may be a microcontroller device such asSTMicroelectronics, ST10 (16-bit) and STM32 (32-bit); Atmel, AVR32(32-bit) and AT91SAM (32-bit); Freescale ColdFire (32-bit); HitachiSuperH (32-bit); and the Hyperstone E1/E2 (32-bit, full integration ofRISC and DSP on one processor core), which is adapted for use in thefunctions described herein.

The memory 752 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, ROM,PROM, EPROM, EEPROM memory), volatile memory (e.g., random access memory(RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM)), bulk storage memory (e.g., CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM,hard-drives), or the like. The memory 752 may include a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium having program instructions 758 storedthereon that are executable by a computer processor (e.g., the processor754) to cause the functional operations described herein with regard tothe floor mat 460. The program instructions 758 may include a floor matmodule 760 including program instructions that are executable by theprocessor 754 to provide some or all of the functionality describedherein with regard to the floor mat 460.

The processor 754 may be any suitable processor capable ofexecuting/performing program instructions. The processor 754 may includea central processing unit (CPU) that carries out program instructions(e.g., program instruction of the floor mat module 760) to performarithmetical, logical, input/output and other operations of the floormat 460, including those described herein.

The I/O interface 756 may provide an interface for connection of one ormore I/O devices to the floor mat controller 750. I/O devices mayinclude sensors 120 (e.g., temperature sensors 202, position sensors208, and/or body fat sensors 210), power source(s) 662 (e.g., a battery751, AC/DC power delivered via cable 730, and/or the like), externaldevice(s) 764 (e.g., the employee computer 130 and/or server 104),and/or the like. The I/O devices may be connected to I/O interface 756,via a wired or wireless connection.

FIG. 7C is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary floor matsystem 770 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The floor mat system 770 includes a floor mat 460 having afloor mat controller 750 coupled to one or more temperature transducers620, one or more force transducers 622, one or more conductive contacts624, a battery 751, and a wireless antenna 768. In some embodiments,floor mat controller 750 may employ the temperature transducers 620, theforce transducers 622, and/or the conductive contacts 624 to collectcorresponding measurements. For example, where a temperature transducer620 includes a thermocouple, to take a temperature measurement, thefloor mat controller 750 may take a voltage measurement across two leadsconnected to the thermocouple of the temperature transducer 620, themeasured voltage being indicative of the temperature sensed by thetemperature transducer 620. Where, for example, a force transducers 622includes a load cell including a strain gauge, to take a forcemeasurement, the floor mat controller 750 may induce a current (I)across two leads connected to the strain gauge and take a measurement ofvoltage (V) across the two leads to determine a resistance (R) acrossthe two leads that is indicative of the force sensed by the forcetransducer 622. As a further example, to take a body fat measurement,the floor mat controller 750 may induce a current (I) across twoconductive contacts 624 and take a measurement of voltage (V) across thetwo conductive contacts 624 to determine a resistance (R) across thecontacts 624 that is indicative of the body fat for the employee. Insome embodiments, the battery 751 may provide power to operate thecontroller 750 and/or provide the power required to take a measurementfrom the temperature transducers 620, force transducers 622, and/orconductive contacts 624. In some embodiments, the wireless antenna 768may include a Bluetooth transceiver for use in communicating with theemployee computer 130 (e.g., e.g., via complementary transceiver ofcomputer 130).

FIG. 7D is a flowchart that illustrates a method 780 of operating thefloor mat 460 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. Method 780 may include monitoring the need for health data200, as depicted at block 782. In some embodiments, monitoring the needfor health data may include determining whether or not there is a needto collect health data 200 (i.e., take a measurement) from one or moreof the sensors 120 (e.g., the temperature transducers 620, the forcetransducers 622, and/or the conductive contacts 624) of the floor mat460. In some embodiments, the need for health data 200 may be identifiedbased on a request from another component of system 100. For example,the floor mat 460 may determine that there is a need to collect healthdata 200 in response to a request for the health data 200 (e.g., arequest to initiate a health test and/or a query for the health data200) received from the computer 130, the server 104, and/or the employee401.

Where it is determined that health data 200 is not needed, at block 784,method 780 may include returning to monitoring the need for health data200, as depicted at block 782. Where it is determined that health data200 is needed, at block 784, method 780 may include proceeding tomonitoring of the sensors 120 (e.g., the temperature transducers 620,the force transducers 622, and/or the conductive contacts 624) tocollect the health data 200, as depicted at block 786. In someembodiments, monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data 200includes monitoring the particular sensors 120 that provide theparticular health data 200 needed. Where the heath data 200 neededincludes the employee's body temperature, body position and/or body fat,monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data 200 may include,for example, the floor mat controller 750 taking measurements from thetemperature transducers 620, the force transducers 622, and/or theconductive contacts 624, respectively, to collect health data 200including measured voltages indicative of body temperature, measuredresistances indicative of forces, and/or measured resistances indicativeof the employee's body fat.

Method 780 may include storing the health data 200, as depicted at block788. In some embodiments, storing the health data 200 includes storingthe collected health data 200 in local or remote memory. For example,the floor mat controller 750 may store the measured voltages indicativeof body temperature, measured resistances indicative of forces, and/ormeasured resistances indicative of the employee's body fat in memory752. In some embodiments, storing the heath data 200 may includebuffering/queuing the health data 200 for transmission at a later time.

Method 780 may include transmitting the health data 200, as depicted atblock 790. In some embodiments, transmitting the health data 200includes transmitting the health data 200 to another component/entity ofsystem 100. For example, the floor mat controller 750 may transmit thehealth data 200 (e.g., collected via the sensors 120 of the floor mat460 and stored in memory 752), to computer 130 and/or server 104 for usein monitoring the health of the employee. In some embodiments, thehealth data 200 is transmitted via a wired or wireless communication.For example, where the floor mat 460 is connected to the computer 130and/or the server 104 via data cables (e.g., via cable 730) the floormat controller 750 may transmit some or all of the health data 200 tothe computer 130 and/or the server 104 via the data cables. Where thefloor mat 460 is in wireless communication with the computer 130 and/orthe server 104 (e.g., via Bluetooth connection, WLAN connection, or thelike), the floor mat controller 750 may transmit some or all of thehealth data 200 to the computer 130 and/or the server 104 via wirelesscommunication. For example, the floor mat controller 750 may communicatethe health data to computer 130 and/or server 104 via wireless antenna768.

In some embodiments, after transmitting the health data 200, method 780may progress back to monitoring the need for health data 782. Where forexample, the request for health data is still active and/or anotherrequest for health data is received, the floor mat controller 750 mayexecute another iteration of monitoring the sensors to collect healthdata, storing the health data and/or transmitting the health data.

It will be appreciated that the method 780 is an exemplary embodiment ofa method that may be employed in accordance with techniques describedherein. The method 780 may be may be modified to facilitate variationsof its implementations and uses. The method 780 may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Some or all of the method780 may be implemented by one or more of the modules/applicationsdescribed herein, such as floor mat module 760. The order of the method780 may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered,combined, omitted, modified, etc.

Mouse:

FIGS. 8A-8C are side and end elevation views of a computer mouse system470 including the mouse 408 specially adapted to integrate with sensors120 (e.g., temperature sensors, blood condition sensors, and bloodpressure sensor) for use in monitoring an employee's health inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the mouse 408 includes a device that can be used ina traditional manner to manipulate a cursor in the employee'sworkstation display. For example, the employee can manipulate the mouse408 (e.g., move the mouse on their desk 402) to cause a cursor on thecomputer display 412 to move in a similar fashion, and/or interact withcontent displayed on the computer display 412 via selection of the mousebuttons 800 (e.g., right-click, left click, etc.). In some embodiments,a location sensor 801 of the mouse (e.g., a laser, mouse ball, or thelike) detects movement of the mouse relative to the surface on which itis being moved, the mouse 408 transmits corresponding location/movementdata to the computer (e.g., computer 130) for use in determining thelocation of the mouse, the movement of the mouse and the like. Thelocation/movement data can be used to determine how the user isinteracting with displayed content and to update the display of apointer on the display screen to mimic the movement of the mouse. Insome embodiments, data reflecting movement of the mouse is used todetermine the length of time the employee has been interacting with themouse 408. For example, the total amount of time the employee has beenmoving the mouse 408 may be used to determine whether the employee isexperiencing muscle tension or other biomechanical and/or biometricconditions (e.g., characteristics/conditions/risks).

In some embodiments, the mouse system 470 includes various sensors 120that can be used to collect heath data 200. For example, mouse system470 may include one or more temperature sensors 202, blood conditionsensors 204, blood pressure sensors 206, and/or the like. In someembodiments, the various sensors 120 of the mouse system 470 are used tosense/measure various aspects of the employees biometric and/orbiomechanical health and provide corresponding health data 200 (e.g.,temperature data 200 a, blood condition data 200 b, and/or bloodpressure data 200 c) to another device of system 100 (e.g., to a mousecontroller, the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104) for use inmonitoring the employee's health.

In some embodiments, the mouse system 470 includes a temperature sensor202 including an infrared (“IR”) sensor 802 integrated with the mouse408 as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8B. The IR sensor 802 may be used to sense abody temperature of the employee while the employee is using the mouse408. For example, while the employee's hand is grasping the mouse 408,such that employee's palm, finger or other portion of the hand isdisposed above the IR sensor 802, the IR sensor 802 may sense atemperature of the corresponding portion of the palm, finger or otherportion of the hand and transmit corresponding temperature data 200 a toa mouse controller, the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104. Insome embodiments, the IR sensor 802 employs an emitter to emit thermalradiation that is focused by a lens onto the skin of the employee and adetector that senses the radiant power reflected back to the detector.

In some embodiments, the mouse system 470 includes a blood pressuresensor 206 including a blood pressure cuff 804 integrated with the mouse408 as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8C. The blood pressure cuff 804 may be usedto detect the employee's blood pressure and/or heart rate. For example,the employee may place the blood pressure cuff 804 about theirwrist/arm, and the cuff 804 may be inflated to detect the variation inpressure as blood flows through the employee's wrist/arm. The detectedvariation in pressure may be used to determine the employee's bloodpressure (i.e., the systolic and diastolic blood pressure numbers forthe employee) and/or heart rate using known techniques. For example, thebladder of the cuff 804 may be inflated about the employee's wrist/arm,a pressure transducer may sense pressure oscillations in the cuff 804that are indicative of the variation in pressure as blood flows throughthe employee's wrist/arm, the blood pressure cuff 804 may transmitcorresponding blood pressure data 200 c to the mouse controller, theemployee computer 130 and/or the server 104, and the blood pressure data200 c (e.g., sensed pressure oscillations) may be processed to determinethe employee's blood pressure and/or heart rate using known methods.

In some embodiments, the blood pressure cuff 804 may be fabricated toinclude at least one flexible, non-frangible-inflatable bladder disposedbetween two fabric cuff layers. The bladder may be fabricated fromrubber or plastic and/or the fabric cuffs may be fabricated from nylonor polyester. In such an embodiment, only the fabric cuff layers, andnot the surface of the bladder, may contact the employee's skin orclothing during use.

In some embodiments, the blood pressure cuff 804 is physically connectedto the mouse 408. For example, the blood pressure cuff 804 can beconnected to the bottom portion 806 of the body 808 of the mouse 408 viaa connector 810. As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments,connector 810 may include a hollow conduit (e.g., a pneumatic tube) thatis physically coupled to the bladder of cuff 804. The conduit may beused to supply/draw air to inflate/deflate the bladder and/or physicallycommunicate air pressure within the bladder of cuff 804. As discussed inmore detail below, in some embodiments, connector 810 includes a wire(e.g., a coated wire or similar electrical conduit) for communicatingelectrical signals that can be used to operate cuff 804 and/orcommunicate blood pressure data 200 c to the mouse controller, theemployee computer 130 and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, the pressure transducer used to sense pressureoscillations and/or the pump used to inflate the cuff 804 is locatedwithin the body 808 of the mouse 408 (e.g., see FIG. 8E discussed inmore detail below). In such an embodiment, the connector 810 may includea pneumatic tube that is used supply air to inflate the bladder of thecuff 804 and/or physically communicate the pressure of the bladder to apressure transducer used to sense the pressure in the bladder. Forexample, a pump located in the body of the mouse 408 may supply air tocuff 804 via the pneumatic tube 810 to inflate the cuff 804, thepressure in the cuff 804 may be physically communicated through thepneumatic tube 810 to the pressure transducer located within the body808 of the mouse 408, the pressure transducer may sense the variationsin pressure within the pneumatic tube 810, and the pressure transducermay transmit corresponding blood pressure data 200 c to the mousecontroller, the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, a pressure transducer and/or a pump used to inflatethe cuff 804 is integrated with the cuff 804 (e.g., located in or on thecuff 804) (e.g., see FIG. 8F discussed in more detail below). In such anembodiment, the connector 810 may include a wire for communicating, tothe mouse 408, the pressure detected by the pressure transducer. Forexample, a pump located in mouse 408 and/or cuff 804 may supply are toinflate the cuff 804, the pressure transducer located within the cuff804 may sense the variations in pressure within the bladder of the cuff804, and the pressure transducer may transmit corresponding bloodpressure data 200 c to the mouse controller via the wire connector 810,the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, the cuff 804 may communicate with the mouse 408 orother components of the system 100 via wireless communication. Forexample, blood pressure data 200 c indicative of the sensed variation inpressure may be communicated from a pressure transducer of cuff 804 to amouse controller, the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104 via awireless communication (e.g., via Bluetooth communication, a WLANconnection and/or the like). Such an embodiment may eliminate the needfor a connector 810 such that the cuff 804 is not physically tethered tomouse 408, thereby allowing the employee to have more physical freedom(e.g., the employee can leave the workstation 102 without having tophysically remove the cuff 804 from their arm/wrist).

In some embodiments, the mouse 408 includes a blood condition sensor 204including a pulse oximeter 820. The pulse oximeter 820 may be used tomeasure various aspects of the employee's blood that are indicative ofthe employee's blood oxygenation, heart rate, and/or the like andprovide corresponding blood condition data 200 b to the mousecontroller, the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104.

In some embodiments, the pulse oximeter 820 includes a transmissive typepulse oximetry sensor having an emitter (e.g., an LED emitter) 822 a foremitting light into and through the employee's fingertip pulp (orsimilar cross-section of an employee's body such as an earlobe) and adetector (e.g., an optical detector) 822 b for detecting the emittedlight that passes though the fingertip pulp. For example, the emitter822 a and the detector 822 b may be placed on opposite sides (e.g.,bottom and top) of the employee's fingertip, the pulse oximeter 820 maybe activated such that emitter 822 a emits light at multiple/differentwavelengths such that at least some of the light is transmitted throughthe employee's fingertip pulp and is detected by the detector 822 b, andcorresponding blood condition data 200 b indicative of the lighttransmitted through and/or absorbed by the employee's fingertip pulp isprovided to the mouse controller, the employee computer 130 and/or theserver 104. The blood condition data 200 b indicative of the lighttransmitted through and/or absorbed by the employee's fingertip pulp maybe used in accordance with known methods to determine measurements ofthe employee's blood oxygenation, heart rate and/or the like.

As depicted in FIGS. 8B and 8C a lid portion of 824 of the mouse 804 maybe rotated into an “opened” position (see FIGS. 8B and 8C) to expose thepule oximeter 820 located inside of the mouse 804. As depicted, when thelid portion 824 of the mouse 804 is opened (e.g., rotated about hinge826 upward and away from the body 808 of the mouse 408) the resultingopening 828 may provide access to the pulse oximeter 820 located withinthe mouse 408. During use, the employee may insert their fingertip intoopening 828 and position the fingertip between an emitter 822 a and anoptical detector 822 b of the pulse oximeter 820. The lid portion 824may be adapted such that in a “closed position” (see FIG. 8A) the lidportion 824 is disposed on the computer mouse body 808 and the pulseoximeter 820 is enclosed within the shell of the mouse 408 (i.e.,enclosed within the lid 824 and lower body 808 of the mouse 408). Insuch a configuration, the mouse 408 looks, feels and operates like atraditional computer mouse. In some embodiments, the lid 824 may bebiased to the closed position and/or the opened position such the lid824 stays closed while the mouse 408 is used in a traditional mannerand/or the lid 824 stays open when the employee has opened lid 824 toaccess the pulse oximeter 820. In such a configuration, the employee caneasily place their fingertip into opening 828 without the lid 824inadvertently closing. In some embodiments, the lid 824 may be biased toa closed position such that the emitter 822 a and the detector 822 bsqueezes about the employee's fingertip to provide an acceptable readingby the pulse oximeter 820. In some embodiments, the emitter 822 a andthe detector 822 b may be aligned such when the emitter 822 a and thedetector 822 b are disposed about the employee's fingertip, the lightemitted by the emitter 822 a is directed toward the detector 822 b.

As described above, when the employee's fingertip is located between theemitter 822 a and the detector 822 b, the pulse-oximeter sensor 820 maybe activated such that emitter 822 a (e.g., an LED emitter) emits lightat multiple different wavelengths and the optical detector 822 b detectsthe emitted light that is transmitted through the employee's fingertip.Although the illustrated embodiment includes the emitter 822 a disposedat a lower surface of the opening 828 (e.g., a top surface of body 808of the mouse 408) and the optical detector 822 b located on an undersideof lid 824, other embodiments may include any suitable number andlocation of emitters and detectors. For example, the positions of theemitter 822 a and the detector 822 b may be swapped such that thedetector 822 b is disposed at a lower surface of opening 826 and theemitter 822 a is located on an underside of lid 824.

In some embodiments, the pulse oximeter 820 includes a reflectance typepulse oximeter sensor (e.g., having an emitter 822 a for emitting lightinto the employee's pulp and a detector 822 b that is located proximatethe emitter 822 a for detecting the light that reflects back from theemployee's pulp). In some embodiments, both of the emitter 822 a and thedetector 822 b of the reflectance type pulse oximeter 820 may beprovided in one of the locations where the emitter 822 a or the detector822 b are illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C, or any other suitablelocation. In such an embodiment, the employee may simply need to disposea portion of their skin onto the surface of the reflectance type pulseoximeter 820, and, thus, may not have to place a cross-section of theirbody (e.g., their fingertip) between two separate sensing devices. Forexample, where the pulse oximeter 820 includes a reflectance type pulseoximeter having an emitter and detector located in the same positionwhere emitter 822 a is illustrated the employee may simply have to placethe bottom of their fingertip pulp onto the reflectance type pulseoximeter 820. In some embodiments, the pulse oximeter 820 may be locatedelsewhere on the mouse 408. For example, a reflectance type pulseoximeter 820 may be located at an exterior surface of the mouse 408(e.g., in the same or similar location as the IR sensor 802) such thatreadings may be taken while the user is grasping the exterior of themouse 408. A reflectance type pulse oximeter 820 is located at or nearthe location of temperature sensor 202 may take readings while theemployee's palm, finger or other portion of the hand is disposed on thepulse oximeter (e.g., while the employee is grasping the mouse 408during traditional use of the mouse 408).

In some embodiments, the IR sensor 802 may be adapted to detect theemployee's pulse oxygenation. For example, the IR sensor 802 may beemployed to conduct a passive pulse oximetry or photoplethysomographytest while the employee's palm, finger or other portion of the hand isdisposed above the IR sensor 802 (e.g., while the employee is graspingthe mouse 408 during traditional use of the mouse 408). In someembodiments, the IR sensor 802 may use photonic glucose crystalsensing/photoplethysomography to detect blood pressure, bodytemperature, heart rate and blood glucose as is understood in the art.Accordingly, the IR sensor 802 may be used to collect blood conditiondata 200 b and/or blood pressure data 200 c.

In some embodiments, the mouse 408 includes a cable 840 that is coupledto an external device (e.g., the employee computer 130) forcommunicating and/or receiving power. For example, the cable 840 mayinclude a USB cable that is plugged into a USB port of the I/O interface304 of the employee computer 130. The mouse 408 may receive power viathe cable 840, communicate with employee computer 130 regard tooperations of the mouse 408 via the cable 840, and/or transmit healthdata 200 via the cable 840. In some embodiments, the mouse 408 mayinclude a wireless mouse that communicates wirelessly with the employeecomputer 130 (e.g., via Bluetooth communication, WLAN connection, or thelike). In such an embodiment, the mouse 408 may also include a batteryfor a power source such that the mouse is not physically tethered to theemployee computer 130 or other components of system 100.

FIG. 8D is a block diagram that illustrates components of the mouse 408in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Insome embodiments, the mouse 408 includes a mouse controller 850 forcontrolling the operational aspects of mouse 408. For example, the mousecontroller 850 may provide for allocating power to the various sensors120 of the mouse 408, collecting health data 200 from the varioussensors 120 of the mouse 408 and/or transmitting the collected healthdata 200 to the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104. In someembodiments, the mouse controller 850 includes a memory 852, a processor854 and an input/output (I/O) interface 856. The mouse controller 850may be a microcontroller device such as STMicroelectronics, ST10(16-bit) and STM32 (32-bit); Atmel, AVR32 (32-bit) and AT91SAM (32-bit);Freescale ColdFire (32-bit); Hitachi SuperH (32-bit); and the HyperstoneE1/E2 (32-bit, full integration of RISC and DSP on one processor core),which is adapted for use in the functions described herein.

The memory 852 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, ROM,PROM, EPROM, EEPROM memory), volatile memory (e.g., random access memory(RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM)), bulk storage memory (e.g., CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM,hard-drives), or the like. The memory 852 may include a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium having program instructions 858 storedthereon that are executable by a computer processor (e.g., the processor854) to cause the functional operations described herein with regard tothe mouse 408 and/or mouse system 470. The program instructions 858 mayinclude a mouse module 860 including program instructions that areexecutable by the processor 854 to provide some or all of thefunctionality described herein with regard to the mouse 408.

The processor 854 may be any suitable processor capable ofexecuting/performing program instructions. The processor 854 may includea central processing unit (“CPU”) that carries out program instructions(e.g., program instructions of the mouse module 860) to performarithmetical, logical, input/output and other operations of the mouse408 and/or the mouse system 470, including those described herein.

The I/O interface 856 may provide an interface for connection of one ormore I/O devices to mouse controller 850. The I/O devices may includemouse buttons 800, location sensor 801, sensors 120 (e.g., a temperaturesensor 202, a blood condition sensor 204, a blood pressure sensor 206),power source(s) 862 (e.g., a battery, AC/DC power delivered via cable840, and/or the like), external device(s) 864 (e.g., the computer 130and/or the server 104), and/or the like. The I/O devices may beconnected to I/O interface 856 via a wired or wireless connection.

FIG. 8E is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary mouse system470 a including the blood pressure cuff 804 connected to the mouse 408via a pneumatic tube 810 in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present invention. The mouse system 470 includes a mouse controller850 coupled to one or more IR sensors 802, a pulse oximeter 820, apressure transducer 852, a pump 854, a battery 856, and a wirelessantenna 858. In some embodiments, the wireless antenna 858 includes aBluetooth transceiver for use in communicating with the employeecomputer 130 (e.g., e.g., via a complementary transceiver of computer130).

In some embodiments, the pump 854 and/or the pressure transducer 852 areconnected to an air bladder 860 of the blood pressure cuff 804 via thepneumatic tube 810. During use, the pump 854 may supply/draw air toinflate/deflate the bladder 860 via the pneumatic tube 810 and/or thepressure transducer 852 may take pressure readings from the pneumatictube 810 that are indicative of the air pressure within the bladder 860.For example, the cuff 804 may be disposed about the employee's wrist,the pump 854 may supply air to the bladder 860 via the pneumatic tube810 to inflate the bladder 860 about the employee wrist, the pressurewithin the bladder 860 may be communicated to the air within in thepneumatic tube 810, the pressure transducer 852 may take pressurereadings of the air within the pneumatic tube 810 that are indicative ofthe air pressure within the bladder 860 (e.g., including the pressureoscillations due to the oscillations of the employee's blood pressure),blood pressure data 200 c including the readings may be communicated tothe mouse controller 850, and the bladder 860 may be deflated.

In some embodiments, the mouse controller 850 may employ the IR sensors802, the pulse oximeter 820, and the pressure transducer 852 to collectcorresponding measurements. For example, where the IR sensor 802 outputsa voltage indicative temperature and the pressure transducer 852 outputsa voltage indicative pressure, the mouse controller 850 may take voltagemeasurements from the IR sensor 802 and the pressure transducer 852.Where, for example, the pulse oximeter 622 outputs a data valueindicative of blood oxygenation, the mouse controller 850 may query orotherwise read the data value. In some embodiments, the mouse controller850 may control operation of the pump 854. For example, the mousecontroller 850 may activate the pump 854 to inflate/deflate the bladder860 as required. In some embodiments, the battery 751 provides power tooperate the controller 750, to operate the pump 854, and/or to providethe power required to take measurements from the IR sensor(s) 802, thepulse oximeter 820, and/or the pressure transducer 852.

FIG. 8F is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary mouse system470 b including the blood pressure cuff 804 wirelessly connected to themouse 408 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, the mouse controller 850 may employ theIR sensor 802 and/or the pulse oximeter 820 in a manner similar to thatdescribed with regard to FIG. 8E. As depicted, the blood pressure cuff622 may include the pump 854, the pressure transducer 852, a wirelessantenna 862, a cuff controller 864, and/or a battery 866 integratedtherein In some embodiments, the battery 866 provides power to operatethe cuff controller 864, to operate the pump 854, and/or provide thepower required to take measurements from the pressure transducer 852. Insome embodiments, the wireless antenna 862 includes a Bluetoothtransceiver, or similar wireless communication device, for use incommunicating with the mouse controller 850 (e.g., e.g., via thecomplementary antenna 858). In such an embodiment, the blood pressurecuff 622 may not be physically tethered to the mouse 408, therebyproviding more physical freedom to the employee.

During use, the mouse controller 850 may query the blood pressure cuff622 to provide various readings. For example, upon detecting the needfor a blood pressure reading, the mouse controller 850 may send arequest for a blood pressure reading to the cuff controller 864 (e.g.,using wireless communication via antennas 858 and 862) and, in responseto the request, the cuff controller 864 may operate the pump 854 toinflate the bladder 860, take a pressure reading indicative of the bloodpressure from the pressure transducer 852, and transmit correspondingblood pressure data 200 c, including the pressure reading, to the mousecontroller 850 (e.g., using wireless communication via antennas 858 and862).

FIG. 8G is a flowchart that illustrates a method 880 of operating themouse system 870 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. Method 880 may include monitoring the need for healthdata 200, as depicted at block 882. In some embodiments, monitoring theneed for health data includes determining whether or not there is a needto collect health data 200 (i.e., take a measurement) from one or moreof the sensors 120 (e.g., the IR sensor 802, the pulse oximeter 820and/or the blood pressure transducer 852). In some embodiments, the needfor health data 200 is identified based on a request from anothercomponent of system 100. For example, the mouse controller 850 maydetermine that there is a need to collect health data 200 in response toa request for the health data 200 (e.g., a request to initiate a healthtest and/or a query for the health data 200) received from the computer130, the server 104 and/or the employee 401.

Where it is determined that health data 200 is not needed, at block 884,method 880 may include returning to monitoring the need for health data200, as depicted at block 882. Where it is determined that health data200 is needed, at block 884, method 880 may include proceeding tomonitoring of the sensors 120 of the mouse system 870 (e.g., the IRsensor 802, the pulse oximeter 820 and/or the blood pressure transducer852) to collect the health data 200, as depicted at block 886. In someembodiments, monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data 200includes monitoring the particular sensors 120 that provide theparticular health data 200 needed. Where the heath data 200 neededincludes the employee's body temperature, blood oxygenation level and/orblood pressure, monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data200 may include, for example, the mouse controller 850 takingmeasurements from the IR sensor 802, the pulse oximeter 820 and/or theblood pressure transducer 852, respectively, to collect the need healthdata 200 including measured voltages indicative of body temperature,values from the pulse oximeter that are indicative of the bloodoxygenation level, and/or voltages/values indicative of the employee'sblood pressure.

Method 880 may include storing the health data 200, as depicted at block888. In some embodiments, storing the health data 200 may includestoring the collected health data 200 in local or remote memory. Forexample, the mouse controller 850 may store the values for correspondingto the measured body temperature, the blood oxygenation level, and/orblood pressure in memory 852. In some embodiments, storing the heathdata 200 may include buffering/queuing the health data 200 fortransmission at a later time.

Method 880 may include transmitting the health data 200, as depicted atblock 890. In some embodiments, transmitting the health data 200includes transmitting the health data 200 to another component/entity ofsystem 100. For example, the mouse controller 850 may transmit thehealth data 200 (e.g., collected via the sensors 120 of the mouse system470 and stored in memory 852), to computer 130 and/or server 104 for usein monitoring the health of the employee. In some embodiments, thehealth data 200 is transmitted via a wired or wireless communication.For example, where the mouse 408 is connected to computer 130 and/orserver 104 via a data cable (e.g., via cable 840) the mouse controller850 may transmit some or all of the health data 200 to the computer 130and/or the server 104 via the data cable. Where the mouse 408 is inwireless communication with the computer 130 and/or the server 104(e.g., via Bluetooth connection, WLAN connection, or the like), themouse controller 850 may transmit some or all of the health data 200 tothe computer 130 and/or the server 104 via wireless communication. Forexample, the mouse controller 850 may communicate the health data 200 tothe computer 130 and/or the server 104 via wireless antenna 858.

In some embodiments, after transmitting the health data 200, method 880may progress back to monitoring the need for health data. Where therequest for health data is still active and/or another request forhealth data is received, for example, the mouse controller 850 mayexecute another iteration of monitoring the sensors to collect healthdata, storing the health data and/or transmitting the health data.

It will be appreciated that the method 880 is an exemplary embodiment ofa method that may be employed in accordance with techniques describedherein. The method 880 may be may be modified to facilitate variationsof its implementations and uses. The method 880 may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Some or all of the method880 may be implemented by one or more of the modules/applicationsdescribed herein, such as mouse module 860. The order of the method 880may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined,omitted, modified, etc.

3D Position Sensor:

FIG. 9A is a front view of the 3D position sensor 212 for use inmonitoring an employee's health in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. As depicted, the 3D positionsensor 212 may include a one or more image sensors (e.g., red-green-blue(“RGB”) video camera) 902, one or more 3D depth sensors 904, and/oraudio sensors (e.g., a multi-array microphone) 906. In some embodiments,3D position data 200 f may include video, depth and audio datacorresponding to events/actions that occur in the zone 420 acquired bythe camera 902, 3D depth sensor 904 and/or microphone 906. The 3Dposition data 200 f may be extrapolated to assess body position (e.g.the position of the employee's head, arms/hands, torso, legs, feet andso forth), the employee's posture, the employee's level of muscletension, the employee's eye location/movements, the employee's level ofeye fatigue and/or the like. For example, the 3D position data 200 facquired by the 3D position sensor 212 may be used to determine relativeposition measurements of the employee and associated peripherals. Insome embodiments, 3D position sensor 212 includes a device such as theKinect™ manufactured by Microsoft. Such a 3D position sensor 212 mayinclude a software development kit that provides for employing the 3Dposition sensor 212 as a biomechanical sensor. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, though a specific 3D video camera device is describedherein, other such cameras may be manufactured that can be adapted foruse in the instant system. For example, any camera may be employed thatis capable of capturing 3D body images such that movements may be“sensed” and corresponding data extrapolated for use in monitoring thehealth of the employee (e.g., via a posture analysis, eye fatigueanalysis, etc.). In some embodiments, the audio sensor 906 may be usedfor acquiring audio data 200 g that may be transmitted to other devicesof the system 100, such as the computer 130 and/or the server 104 foruse in monitoring the employee's health.

In some embodiments, health data 200 provided from the mouse 408 and/or3D position sensor 212 may be used to determine various biomechanicalcharacteristics of the employee. For example, position information fromthe computer mouse 408 and the 3D position sensor 212 may also be usedto locate the employee's hand position in the test zone relative to thecomputer screen, chair pad, and floor mat. In such embodiments,electronics in the computer mouse 408 used to locate a cursor positioncould be used in combination with the video data to extrapolate therelative position of the computer mouse 408 within the test zone 420,and the position of the computer mouse could be used to locate theemployee's chair and/or the employee's heard, arms/hands, torso, legsand feet.

FIG. 9B is a block diagram of components of the 3D position sensor 212in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Insome embodiments, the 3D position sensor 212 may include a 3D positionsensor controller 950 for controlling the operational aspects of 3Dposition sensor 212. For example, 3D position sensor controller 950 mayprovide for allocating power to various sensors (e.g., image, depthand/or audio sensors) of the 3D position sensor 212, collecting healthdata 200 from the various sensors of the 3D position sensor 212 and/ortransmitting the collected health data 200 to the employee computer 130and/or the server 104. In some embodiments, the 3D position sensorcontroller 950 includes a memory 952, a processor 954 and aninput/output (I/O) interface 956. The 3D position sensor controller 950may be a microcontroller device such as STMicroelectronics, ST10(16-bit) and STM32 (32-bit); Atmel, AVR32 (32-bit) and AT91SAM (32-bit);Freescale ColdFire (32-bit); Hitachi SuperH (32-bit); and the HyperstoneE1/E2 (32-bit, full integration of RISC and DSP on one processor core),which is adapted for use in the functions described herein.

The memory 952 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, ROM,PROM, EPROM, EEPROM memory), volatile memory (e.g., random access memory(RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM)), bulk storage memory (e.g., CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM,hard-drives), or the like. The memory 952 may include a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium having program instructions 958 storedthereon that are executable by a computer processor (e.g., the processor954) to cause the functional operations described herein with regard tothe 3D position sensor 212. The program instructions 958 may include a3D position sensor module 960 including program instructions that areexecutable by the processor 954 to provide some or all of thefunctionality described herein with regard to 3D position sensor 212.

The processor 954 may be any suitable processor capable ofexecuting/performing program instructions. The processor 954 may includea central processing unit (CPU) that carries out program instructions(e.g., program instructions of the 3D position sensor module 960) toperform arithmetical, logical, input/output and other operations of the3D position sensor 212, including those described herein.

The I/O interface 956 may provide an interface for connection of one ormore I/O devices to 3D position sensor controller 950. The I/O devicesmay include sensors (e.g., image, depth and/or audio sensors), powersource(s) 962 (e.g., a battery, AC power, etc.), external device(s) 964(e.g., the computer 130 and/or the server 104), etc. The I/O devices maybe connected to the I/O interface 956, the computer 130 and/or theserver 104 via a wired or wireless connection.

FIG. 9C is a flowchart that illustrates a method 980 of operating the 3Dposition sensor 980 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. Method 980 may include monitoring the need for healthdata 200, as depicted at block 982. In some embodiments, monitoring theneed for health data includes determining whether or not there is a needto collect health data 200 (i.e., take a measurement) from one or moreof the sensors 120 (e.g., the image sensor 902, the depth sensor 904,and/or the audio sensor 906). In some embodiments, the need for healthdata 200 may be identified based on a request from another component ofsystem 100. For example, the 3D position sensor controller 950 maydetermine that there is a need to collect health data 200 in response toa request for the health data 200 (e.g., a request to initiate a healthtest and/or a query for the health data 200) received from the computer130, the server 104 and/or the employee 401.

Where it is determined that health data 200 is not needed, at block 984,method 980 may include returning to monitoring the need for health data200, as depicted at block 982. Where it is determined that health data200 is needed, at block 984, method 980 may include proceeding tomonitoring of the sensors 120 (e.g., the image sensor 902, the depthsensor 904, and/or the audio sensor 906) to collect the health data 200,as depicted at block 986. In some embodiments, monitoring the sensors120 to collect the health data 200 includes monitoring the particularsensors 120 that provide the particular health data 200 needed. Wherethe heath data 200 needed includes the employee's body position and/oreye movement, monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data 200may include, for example, the 3D position sensor controller 950 takingmeasurements from the image sensor 902 and/or the depth sensor 904, tocollect the need health data 200 including 2D and/or 3D image dataindicative of the employee's body position and/or eyeposition/movements. Where the heath data 200 needed includes theemployee's speech, monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data200 may include, for example, the 3D position sensor controller 950taking measurements from the audio sensor 906, to collect the needhealth data 200 including, for example, audio data indicative of wordsspoken by the employee.

Method 980 may include storing the health data 200, as depicted at block988. In some embodiments, storing the health data 200 may includestoring the collected health data 200 in local or remote memory. Forexample, the 3D position sensor controller 950 may store the 2D imagedata, 3D image data and/or the audio data in the memory 952. In someembodiments, storing the heath data 200 may include buffering/queuingthe health data 200 for transmission at a later time.

Method 980 may include transmitting the health data 200, as depicted atblock 990. In some embodiments, transmitting the health data 200 mayinclude transmitting the health data 200 to another component/entity ofthe system 100. For example, the 3D position sensor controller 950 maytransmit the health data 200 (e.g., collected via the sensors 120 of the3D position sensor 212 and stored in memory 952), to the computer 130and/or the server 104 for use in monitoring the health of the employee.In some embodiments, the health data 200 may be transmitted via a wiredor wireless communication. For example, where the 3D position sensor 212is connected to the computer 130 and/or the server 104 via a data cablethe 3D position sensor controller 950 may transmit some or all of thehealth data 200 to the computer 130 and/or the server 104 via the datacable. Where the 3D position sensor 212 is in wireless communicationwith the computer 130 and/or the server 104 (e.g., via Bluetoothconnection, WLAN connection, or the like), the 3D position sensorcontroller 950 may transmit some or all of the health data 200 to thecomputer 130 and/or the server 104 via wireless communication. Forexample, the 3D position sensor controller 950 may communicate thehealth data to the computer 130 and/or the server 104 via a wirelessantenna.

In some embodiments, after transmitting the health data 200, method 980may progress back to monitoring the need for health data. Where therequest for health data is still active and/or another request forhealth data is received, for example, the mouse controller 950 mayexecute another iteration of monitoring the sensors to collect healthdata, storing the health data and/or transmitting the health data.

It will be appreciated that the method 980 is an exemplary embodiment ofa method that may be employed in accordance with techniques describedherein. The method 980 may be may be modified to facilitate variationsof its implementations and uses. The method 980 may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Some or all of the method980 may be implemented by one or more of the modules/applicationsdescribed herein, such as 3D position sensor module 960. The order ofthe method 980 may be changed, and various elements may be added,reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc.

In some embodiments, health data 200 provided from the mouse 408 and/orthe 3D position sensor 212 is used to determine various biomechanicalcharacteristics of the employee. For example, position information fromthe computer mouse 408 and the 3D position sensor 212 may also be usedto locate the employee's hand position in the test zone relative to thecomputer screen, chair pad, and floor mat. In such embodiments,electronics in the computer mouse 408 used to locate a cursor positioncould be used in combination with the video data to extrapolate therelative position of the computer mouse 408 within the test zone 420,and the position of the computer mouse could be used to locate theemployee's chair and/or the employee's heard, arms/hands, torso, legsand feet.

Neural Sensors:

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the neuro-headset 480 for use inmonitoring an employee's health in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, theneuro-headset 480 includes a neuro-headset frame 1002 having a pluralityof neural sensors 218 (e.g., sixteen neural sensors 218) coupledthereto. The neuro-headset frame 1002 may provide for positioning of theneural sensors 218 in discrete neural sensor locations about theemployee's head while the neuro-headset 418 is being worn by theemployee. FIG. 10B is a top-view of an employee's head that illustratessixteen exemplary neural sensor locations 1004 about the employee'shead/scalp in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. As discussed above, the neural-headset 480 may be used tosense brain activity of the employee that can be used to detectneuro-signals (e.g., including alpha, beta, gamma, and delta waves) thatcan be used to determine the employee's emotional state, thoughts (e.g.,cognitive thoughts, subconscious thoughts, intent), facial movements(e.g., facial expressions), motor functions and/or the like. In someembodiments, the neuro-headset 480 may be employed to sense brainactivity and provide corresponding neural data 200 i that is indicativeof the sensed brain activity. For example, the neuro-headset 480 maytransmit neural data 200 i corresponding to brain activity sensed by theneural sensors 218 to or other device within the system 100 (e.g., tothe computer 130 and/or the server 104).

FIG. 10C is a block diagram that illustrates components of theneuro-headset 480 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, the neuro-headset 480 mayinclude a neuro-headset controller 1050 for controlling the operationalaspects of the neuro-headset 480. For example, the neuro-headsetcontroller 1050 may provide for allocating power to the neural sensors418 of the neuro-headset 480, collecting neural data 200 i from theneural sensors 418 of the neuro-headset 480, and/or transmitting thecollected neural data 200 i to the employee computer 130 and/or theserver 104.

In some embodiments, the neuro-headset controller 1050 includes a memory1052, a processor 1054 and an input/output (I/O) interface 1056. Theneuro-headset controller 1050 may be a microcontroller device such asSTMicroelectronics, ST10 (16-bit) and STM32 (32-bit); Atmel, AVR32(32-bit) and AT91SAM (32-bit); Freescale ColdFire (32-bit); HitachiSuperH (32-bit); and the Hyperstone E1/E2 (32-bit, full integration ofRISC and DSP on one processor core), which is adapted for use in thefunctions described herein.

The memory 1052 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory,ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM memory), volatile memory (e.g., random accessmemory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamicRAM (SDRAM)), bulk storage memory (e.g., CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM,hard-drives), or the like. The memory 1052 may include a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium having program instructions 1058 storedthereon that are executable by a computer processor (e.g., the processor1054) to cause the functional operations described herein with regard tothe neuro-headset 480. The program instructions 1058 may include aneuro-headset module 1060 including program instructions that areexecutable by the processor 1054 to provide some or all of thefunctionality described herein with regard to the neuro-headset 480.

The processor 1054 may be any suitable processor capable ofexecuting/performing program instructions. The processor 1054 mayinclude a central processing unit (CPU) that carries out programinstructions (e.g., of the neuro-headset module 1060) to performarithmetical, logical, input/output and other operations of theneuro-headset 480, including those described herein.

The I/O interface 1056 may provide an interface for connection of one ormore I/O devices to neuro-headset controller 1050. I/O devices mayinclude neural sensors 218, power source(s) 1062 (e.g., a battery, AC/DCpower delivered via a cable, and/or the like), external device(s) 1064(e.g., the employee computer 130 and/or the server 104), and/or thelike. The I/O devices may be connected to the I/O interface 1056, via awired or wireless connection.

FIG. 10D is a flowchart that illustrates a method 1080 of operating theneuro-headset 480 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. Method 1080 may include monitoring the need forneural data 200 i, as depicted at block 1082. In some embodiments,monitoring the need for neural data includes determining whether or notthere is a need to collect neural data 200 i (i.e., take a measurement)from one or more of the neural sensors 218. In some embodiments, theneed for the neural data 200 i may be identified based on a request fromanother component of system 100. For example, the neuro-headsetcontroller 1050 may determine that there is a need to collect neuraldata 200 i in response to a request for the neural data 200 i (e.g., arequest to initiate a health test and/or a query for the neural data 200i) received from the computer 130, the server 104 and/or the employee401.

Where it is determined that neural data 200 i is not needed, at block1084, method 1080 may include returning to monitoring the need forneural data 200 i, as depicted at block 1082. Where it is determinedthat neural data 200 i is needed, at block 1084, method 1080 may includeproceeding to monitoring of the neural sensors 218 of the neuro-headset480 to collect the neural data 200 i, as depicted at block 1086. Forexample, the neural data 200 i collected may include a log of brainactivity detected by each of the neural sensors 218.

Method 1080 may include storing the neural data 200 i, as depicted atblock 1088. In some embodiments, storing the neural data 200 i includesstoring the collected neural data 200 i in local or remote memory. Forexample, the neuro-headset controller 1050 may store a log of the neuraldata 200 i in memory 1052. In some embodiments, storing the neural data200 i may include buffering/queuing the neural data 200 i fortransmission at a later time.

Method 1080 may include transmitting the neural data 200 i, as depictedat block 1090. In some embodiments, transmitting the neural data 200 iincludes transmitting the neural data 200 i to another component/entityof the system 100. For example, the neuro-headset controller 1050 maytransmit the neural data 200 i (e.g., stored in the memory 1052), to thecomputer 130 and/or the server 104 for use in monitoring the health ofthe employee. In some embodiments, the neural data 200 i may betransmitted via a wired or wireless communication. For example, wherethe neuro-headset 4780 is connected to the computer 130 and/or theserver 104 via a data cable, the neuro-headset controller 1050 maytransmit some or all of the neural data 200 i to the computer 130 and/orthe server 104 via the data cable. Where the neuro-headset 480 is inwireless communication with the computer 130 and/or the server 104(e.g., via Bluetooth connection, WLAN connection, or the like), theneuro-headset controller 1050 may transmit some or all of the neuraldata 200 i to the computer 130 and/or the server 104 via wirelesscommunication.

In some embodiments, after transmitting the neural data 200 i, method1080 may progress back to monitoring the need for neural data. Where therequest for neural data is still active and/or another request for neurodata is received, for example, the neuro-headset controller 1050 mayexecute another iteration of monitoring the neural sensors 218 tocollect neural data 200 i, storing the neural data 200 i and/ortransmitting the neural data 200 i.

It will be appreciated that the method 1080 is an exemplary embodimentof a method that may be employed in accordance with techniques describedherein. The method 1080 may be may be modified to facilitate variationsof its implementations and uses. The method 1080 may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Some or all of the method1080 may be implemented by one or more of the modules/applicationsdescribed herein, such as the neuro-headset module 1060. The order ofthe method 1080 may be changed, and various elements may be added,reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc.

In some embodiments, neural sensors 218 are disposed in a surface thatcontacts and/or supports the employee's head. For example, neuralsensors 218 may be disposed in the headrest of a chair. In someembodiments, such neural sensors 218 disposed in a surface that contactsand/or supports the employee's head may be used in place of or inconjunction with the neural sensors 218 of neuro headset 480. Forexample, where an employee's chair includes neural sensors 218 implantedin a front surface of a headrest of the chair, the employee may not needto wear the neuro headset 480. Neural data 200 i may be acquired via theneural sensors 218 implanted in the headrest that contact the back ofthe employee's head/scalp. In some embodiments, the employee may stillwear neuro 480 headset such that neural data 200 i can be acquired viathe neural sensors 218 of the neuro headset 480, as well as the neuralsensors 218 implanted in the headrest.

FIG. 10E is a perspective view of the chair 404 specially adapted toinclude neural sensors 218 for use in monitoring an employee's health inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Asdepicted, in some embodiments, the chair 404 includes a high-back chairhaving one or more neural sensors 218 disposed in a surface of headrest1010 (e.g., an upper portion of seat back 604). Headrest 1010 maycontact and/or support the back of the employee's head while theemployee is seated in the chair 404. The neural sensors 218 of theheadrest 1010 may include dry electrodes that can be used to sense neurosignals. Such dry electrodes may require minimal or no skin preparationfor engaging the neural sensors 218 on the employee's scalp for sensingthe employee's brain activity. Accordingly, neural data 200 i for theemployee may be acquired via the neural sensors 218 of the headrest 1010when the employee's scalp contacts one or more of the neural sensors 218of the headrest 1010. Such a configuration may not require the employeeto wear a neuro headset to acquire neural data 200 i.

In some embodiments, the chair 404 includes other sensors 120. Forexample, a back support area 1012 on the front surface 604 a of seatback 604 may include temperature sensors 102, position sensors 208,and/or body fat sensors and/or a seat support area 1014 of the topsurface 602 a may include temperature sensors 102, position sensors 208,and/or body fat sensors disposed therein (e.g., see FIG. 6C). Neuraldata 200 i may be acquired from neural sensors 218 provided at headrest1010 in a manner that is the same or similar to that described withregard to method 1080.

In some embodiments, neural sensors 218 provided at the headrest 1010 ofthe chair 404 can be provided via a chair pad (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). Forexample, the chair pad 450 may include neural sensors 218 disposed at ornear a top of back-pad 612. Such a chair pad 450 can be provided on thechair 404 such that the back of the employee's head/scalp contacts thatthe neural sensors 218 of the chair pad 450 when the employee is seatedin chair 404. In such an embodiment, neural data 200 i may be acquiredfrom neural sensors 218 provided at the headrest 1010 in a manner thatis the same or similar to that of method 680.

Accordingly, the system 100 may provide for collecting employee healthdata via multiple points of contact with the employee. For examplehealth data 200 may be collected via a first point of contact with theemployee's head/eyes (e.g., via the 3D position sensor 212), a secondpoint of contact with the employee's arms/hands (e.g., via the 3Dposition sensor 212, and/or the temperature sensor 202, the bloodcondition sensor 204 and/or blood pressure sensor 206 of the mouse 408),a third point of contact with the employee's torso/back/legs (e.g., viathe 3D position sensor 212, and/or the temperature sensor 202, theposition sensor 208 and/or the body fat sensor 210 of the chair pad450), a fourth point of contact with the employee's feet (e.g., via the3D position sensor 212, and/or the temperature sensor 202, the positionsensor 208 and/or the body fat sensor 210 of the floor mat 460), and afifth point of contact via the employee's head/brain (e.g., via theneural sensors 218 of the neuro-headset 480).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates a method 1100 of collectinghealth data 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. Method 1100 may start at block 1102. In someembodiments, such a method of collecting health data 200 (e.g.,temperature data 200 a, blood condition data 200 b, blood pressure data200 c, position data 200 d, body fat data 200 e, 3D position data 200 f,audio data 200 g, respiration data 200 h, and/or neural data 200 i) maybe provided by the computer processor 302 executing program instructionsof the employee computer module 308 to provide for collection of healthdata 200 from the various sensors 120 and/or transmission of thecorresponding health data 200 to the server 104 for use in monitoringthe health of the employee. Start of method 1100 at block 1102 mayinclude initiating execution of a corresponding module (e.g., thecomputer module 308) to provide for collecting needed health data 200 bythe computer 130. For example, the computer module 308 may be launchedupon the employee successfully logging in to their workstation and/orthe employee selecting to launch an employee health monitoringapplication as discussed in more detail below with regard to at leastmethod 1500 of FIG. 15).

Method 1100 may include monitoring the need for health data 200, asdepicted at block 1104. In some embodiments, monitoring the need forhealth data may include determining whether or not there is a need tocollect health data 200 from one or more of the sensors 120 of thesystem 100. In some embodiments, the need for health data 200 isidentified based on a request from another component of system 100. Forexample, the computer 130 may determine that there is a need to collecthealth data 200 in response to a request for the health data 200 (e.g.,a request to initiate a health test and/or a query for the health data200) received from the server 104 and/or the employee 401.

In some embodiments, the need for health data 200 is identified based oncorresponding schedule (e.g., a health monitoring test schedule). Forexample, where a health test routine requires collection of health data200 at 12:00 pm, it may be determined that health data 200 is needed ifthe current time is 12:00 pm or shortly thereafter. As another example,where a health test routine requires the continuous collection of abatch of health data 200 from 8:00 am-6:00 pm, it may be determined thathealth data 200 is needed if the current time is in the range of 8:00am-6:00 pm. As yet another example, where a health test routine requiresthe repeated collection of health data 200 at an hourly interval from8:00 am-6:00 pm, it may be determined that health data 200 is needed ifthe current time is 8:00 am, 9:00 am, and so forth. It will beappreciated that these test schedules are exemplary, and otherembodiments may include any suitable test schedule.

Where it is determined that health data 200 is not needed, at block1106, method 1100 may include proceeding to determining whether or notthe test routine should be stopped, as depicted at block 1108. In someembodiments, it may be determined that the test routine should stopbased on an instruction to stop from another device of system 100. Forexample, the computer 130 may determine that it should stop execution ofthe health monitoring test routine in response to an instruction fromthe server 104 and/or the employee 401 to stop the health test routine(e.g., a request to terminate the health test). Where it is determinedthat the health test routine should be stopped, the health test routinemay be stopped, as depicted at block 1110.

Where it is determined that health data 200 is needed, at block 1106,method 1100 may include proceeding to monitoring of the sensors 120 tocollect the health data 200, as depicted at block 1112. In someembodiments, monitoring the sensors 120 to collect the health data 200includes monitoring the particular sensors 120 that provide theparticular health data 200 needed. Where the heath data 200 neededincludes the employee's body temperature, for example, monitoring thesensors 120 to collect the health data 200 may include monitoring one ormore of the standalone temperature sensor 202 located on desk 402, thetemperature sensor 202 of the chair pad 450, the temperature sensor 202of the floor mat 460, the temperature sensor 202 of the mouse 408 and/orthe like to sense/acquire temperature data 200 a. Other embodiments mayinclude similar monitoring of any of the standalone or integratedsensors 120 to collect the needed health data 200.

In some embodiments, the collected health data 200 may be transmittedbetween the various devices in route to the server 104. Where the heathdata 200 needed includes the employee's body temperature, for example,the computer 130 may collect temperature data 200 a directly from thestandalone temperature sensor 202. As a further example, the chair pad450, the floor mat 460, the mouse 408 may collect temperature data 200 adirectly from the respective temperature sensors 202 integrated thereinand forward the collected temperature data 200 a to the computer 130.Similar techniques may be employed for collecting other forms of healthdata 200 from the various sensors 120 of the system 100. For example,temperature data 200 a, blood condition data 200 b, blood pressure data200 c, position data 200 d, body fat data 200 e, 3D position data 200 f,audio data 200 g, respiration data 200 h, neural data 200 i and/or thelike, may be collected from the corresponding temperature sensors 202,blood condition sensors 204, blood pressure sensors 206, positionsensors 208, body fat sensors 210, 3D position sensors 212, audiosensors 214, respiration sensors 216, neural sensors 218, and/or thelike, in a similar manner.

Method 1100 may include storing the health data 200, as depicted atblock 1114. In some embodiments, storing the health data 200 includesstoring the collected health data 200 in local or remote memory. Forexample, the employee computer 130 may store the health data 200collected from the sensors 120 in local memory 300. In some embodiments,storing the heath data 200 includes buffering/queuing the health data200 for transmission at a later time.

Method 1100 may include transmitting the health data 200, as depicted atblock 1116. In some embodiments, transmitting the health data 200 mayinclude transmitting the health data 200 to another component/entity ofthe system 100. For example, the computer 130 may transmit the healthdata 200 (e.g., the health data 200 stored in memory 300) to the server104 for use in monitoring the health of the employee 401. In someembodiments, the health data 200 may be transmitted from the computer130 to the server 104 via network 118.

In some embodiments, the transmission of the health data 200 may beregulated based on a corresponding schedule for sending/transmitting thehealth data. For example, where a health test routine requirescollection of health data 200 at 12:00 pm, the health data 200 may becollected and transmitted at or about 12:00 pm. As further example,where a health test routine requires the continuous collection andtransmission of health data 200 from 8:00 am-6:00 pm, the health data200 may be collected and transmitted from 8:00 am-6:00 pm such that asubstantially continuous stream of health care data 200 is transmitted(e.g., from the sensors 120 to the computer 130 and/or from the computer130 to the server 104) for use in monitoring the employee's health. As afurther example, where a health test routine requires the continuouscollection of health data 200 from 8:00 am-6:00 pm and the transmissionof the health data 200 in batches hourly, the health data 200 may becollected and stored over the period with the batches being transmittedat 9:00 am, 10:00 am and so forth).

In some embodiments, after transmitting the health data collected,method 1100 may progress to block 1108 to determine whether or not theacquisition of health data should continue. Accordingly, health data 200may be collected from the various sensors 120 as required for monitoringthe health of employees.

It will be appreciated that the method 1100 is an exemplary embodimentof methods that may be employed in accordance with techniques describedherein. The method 1100 may be may be modified to facilitate variationsof its implementations and uses. The method 1100 may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Some or all of the method1100 may be implemented by one or more of the modules/applicationsdescribed herein, such as employee computer module 308. The order of themethod 1100 may be changed, and various elements may be added,reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc.

Server:

The server 104 (see FIG. 1) may include a network entity that servesrequests by other network entities. For example, the sever 104 may serverequest by client entities, such as the employee computer 130, theemployer computer 103 and/or the like. The server 104 may host a contentsite, such as a website, a file transfer protocol (FTP) site, anInternet search website or other source of network content. In someembodiments, the server 104 may host one or more applications, such anemployee health monitoring application. Some or all of the applicationmay be executed locally on the server 104 and/or remotely by variousother network entities, such as the employee computer 130 and/or theemployer computer 103. For example, the server 104 may cause theexecution of remote applications/processes (e.g., an applicationexecuting the method 1100) on the employee computers 130 to collect thehealth data 200 from each respective employees and execute a localapplications (e.g., a health monitoring application) to conductprocessing of the collected health data 200 for use in monitoring anemployee's health.

In some embodiments, the server 104, is connected to one or more of theemployee computer workstations 130 (e.g., for interfacing with theemployees in their work environment), one or more file servers 106 andassociated databases 108 for accessing and storing employee healthinformation 109, one or more employer computers 103 (e.g., for allowingthe employer to review the health information of employees), one or moreweb servers 110 for connecting the computer server 104 to remotecomputers 112 (e.g., to provide communication with emergency responseentities (e.g., a police, fire, ambulance station), health care entities(e.g., a doctor's office), an offsite workstation 102, or the like thatmay allow emergency response personnel, health care providers and/oremployees to be alerted by the health monitoring system, to remotelyaccess the health monitoring system (e.g., access health information 109stored in database 108), and/or the like.

As shown, at least one file server 106 may be employed by the system tomanage the employee health information 109 and/or to allow the computerserver 104, the employee computer 130, the employer computer 103 and/orthe remote workstation 112 to upload/download data (e.g., the employeehealth information 109) via the file server 106. The files server 106may include or otherwise have access to the database 108. The database108 may include an employee health database for storing the employeehealth information 109 and/or an employee access database that storescredential data and permissions data for verifying user's right toaccess the system 100 based on the credentials and/or restricting accessto the system 100 based on corresponding permissions. The file server106 and/or the database 109 may include network attached storage(“NAS”), storage area networks (“SAN”), or direct access storage(“DAS”), or any combination thereof, including, e.g., multiple hard diskdrives. The file server 106 may have stored thereon a databasemanagement system, e.g. a set of software programs that controls theorganization, storage, management, and retrieval of the data in thedatabase(s) 108, such as the health information 109.

The database 108, and any other databases or files stored in the fileserver 106, may be a database separate from other employee databases orthe same database as other employee databases, e.g., commingled in adatabase containing, for example, employee benefit or pay information.The employee health information 109 can also be stored in a plurality ofdatabases (e.g., distributed databases, tables, or fields in separateportions of the file server memory). As one skilled in the art willappreciate, the file server 106 may provide the computer server 104, andthe computer workstations 130 access to the database 108 through, e.g.,database management software or other application. A database server maybe used to store the database 108 instead of or in addition to the fileserver 106. An exemplary structure of the database 108 is discussed inmore detail below with regard to FIG. 14 below.

The computers 130, 103 and/or 112 may include personal computers (PC) asis known in the art. The computers 130, 103 and/or 112 may run UNIX,Linux, Windows®, or some other operating system compatible with thenetworked systems discussed herein. In some embodiments, the computers130, 103 and/or 112 may include remote terminals that enable a user tointeract with various processes being controlled by the server 104. Forexample, the operations described herein with regard to the employeecomputer 130 may be executed by the server 104 and the employee computer130 may include a network terminal that provides for user interactionwith the operations provided by the server 104. Moreover, the computers130, 103 and/or 112 may provide access computer program instructionsstored on the server 104. For example, an application for providingemployee data running on the server 104 may be accessible via theemployee computer 130 such that the employee may provide accesscredentials to login to their account, the server may verify theircredentials/permissions, and the employee may be able to enter, via theemployee computer 130, their health profile information (e.g., theirpersonal health profile data (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity, etc.), healthgoals (e.g., “lose 10 pounds” or “lower blood pressure”) and/or thelike). Thus, health information provided via the computer workstations130 can be forwarded via the server 104 to the file server 106 for usein updating the employee's health information 109 stored in the database108. In some embodiments, the computer workstations 130 can interfacewith different servers (e.g., the web or network servers 104, 106 or110) for accessing the health information 109 via the communicationsnetwork 118.

The employer computer 103 may provide an employer (e.g., the employee'smanager, the employee's human resources manager, or the like) access tothe employee health information 109 and/or corresponding reports forreviewing the health of one or more employees. For example, an employermay be provided regular reports and/or alerts regarding the health ofsome or all of their employees via the employer computers 103 and/or theemployer may proactively initiate review of the employee healthinformation 109 (e.g., via an interactive dashboard discussed in moredetail below). Thus, for example, an employer may determine whether ahealth condition is affecting a given employee, determine whether or notan employee is following their health plan, determine whether some orall employees at a certain facility have are experiencing similarsymptoms indicative of a facility wide health concern (e.g., a highpercentage of employees at a given facility have developed asthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), or other chroniccondition).

FIG. 12A is a block diagram illustrating components of the server 104 inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Insome embodiments, the server 1100 includes a memory 1202, a processor1204 and an input/output (I/O) interface 1206.

The memory 1202 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory,ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM memory), volatile memory (e.g., random accessmemory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamicRAM (SDRAM)), bulk storage memory (e.g., CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM,hard-drives), or the like. The memory 1202 may include a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium having program instructions 1208 storedthereon that are executable by a computer processor (e.g., the processor1204) to cause the functional operations described herein with regard tothe server 104. The program instructions 1208 may include server modules1210 (e.g., user verification module 1210 a, calibration module 1210 b,monitoring module 1210 c, and/or display module 1210 d) includingprogram instructions that are executable by the processor 1204 toprovide some or all of the functionality described herein with regard tothe server 104.

The user verification module 1210 a may be employed by the server 104 toverify a user's login information and/or provide corresponding access toother portions of the system 100, as discussed in more detail herein.For example, upon an employee, employer or other user attempting tologin to the system 100, the user verification module 1210 a may beexecuted to verify login credentials (e.g., a user ID and password)provided by an employee, employer or other user, and, upon verificationof the credentials, grant access to the health information 109 of thedatabase 108 in accordance with permissions associated with thecredentials.

The calibration module may be executed by the server 104 to provide forcalibrating the sensors 120 of the system 100, as discussed in moredetail herein. For example, at start-up of monitoring of the employee'shealth or based on a request by the employee, the calibration module1210 b may be executed to provide for collecting a baseline set of data(e.g., initial measurement of temperature, weight, body fat heart rate,blood pressure, blood condition, body position, eye movement, and/or thelike). Such data may be used to verify operation of the sensors 120and/or to provide a baseline for comparing the health data collectedduring subsequent testing.

The monitoring module 1210 c may be executed by the server 104 toprovide for monitoring of the employee's health, as discussed in moredetail herein. For example, the monitoring module 1210 c may provide forcollecting health data 200 from the various sensors 120 located about anemployee's workstation (e.g., via conducting one or more health test)and processing the health data 200 to generate a health reportincluding, for example determined health characteristics, healthconditions, health risks and/or health plans for the employee. In someembodiments, the monitoring module 1210 c may provide for conductingdiscrete health test at certain/limited times (e.g., “low productivity”times in which the employee is not as productive, such as the earlymorning, mid-afternoon, or the like). As one skilled in the art willappreciate, monitoring an employee at limited times may minimize anyrisk of over exposure of IR test measurements when photoplethysomographyis used to monitor a health condition, e.g., to meet or exceed currentgovernment and safety protocols in relation to the frequency, intensityand duration of such test on the employee. In some embodiments, themonitoring module may provide for interpreting the incoming health data200. For example, where the collected health data 200 includes rawelectronic signals from the sensors 120, raw measurement values (e.g.,datasets) or the like, the monitoring module 1210 c may provide forconverting the electronic signals and/or values to health characteristicdata indicative of the actual health characteristics.

As discussed in more detail herein, the presentation module 1210 d maybe executed by the server 104 to provide for presenting employee healthinformation (e.g., the employee's profile, heath report, health plan,and/or the like) to the employee, the employer, and/or another user. Forexample, the presentation module 1210 d may provide for displaying(e.g., via a heath monitoring widget and/or an interactive healthdashboard) or otherwise communicating the employee's health informationand/or corresponding health alerts to the employee, an employer,emergency response personnel, the employee's physician, and/or the like.In some embodiments, the presentation module 1210 d may provide fordisplaying a preventative plan for health maintenance, the employee'shealth statistics over time, the employee's progress relative to apredetermined health regime, display the employee's progress relative toa preventative plan calculated by the system and/or the like.

The processor 1204 may be any suitable processor capable ofexecuting/performing program instructions. The processor 1204 mayinclude a central processing unit (CPU) that carries out programinstructions (e.g., of the server module(s) 1210) to performarithmetical, logical, input/output and other operations of the server104. The processor 1204 can be any commercially available processor, orplurality of processors, adapted for use in the computer server 104,such as Intel® Xeon® multicore processors manufactured by IntelCorporation, Intel® micro-architecture Nehalem manufactured by IntelCorporation, AMD Opteron™ multicore processors manufactured by AMDCorporation, or the like. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, theprocessor 1204 may also include components that allow the server 104 tobe connected to peripherals (e.g., a display and keyboard that wouldallow direct access to the processor and memory 1202, and/or applicationexecuting via server 104).

The I/O interface 1206 may provide an interface for connection of one ormore I/O devices to the server 104. The I/O devices may include othernetwork devices, such as the file server 106, the web server 110, theemployee computers 130, the employer computers 103, the sensors 120,and/or the like. The I/O devices may be connected to the I/O interface1206 via a wired or wireless connection.

In some embodiments, the server 104 uses the health data 200 collectedby the sensors 120 to monitor the employee's health. FIG. 12B is aflowchart that illustrates a method 1220 of monitoring the employee'shealth in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

Method 1220 may include collecting health data, as depicted at block1222. In some embodiments, collecting health data includes collectinghealth data 200 from other entities of the system 100. For example, asdepicted in FIG. 13 (including a block diagram illustrating an exemplarydataflow within system 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present invention), the server 104 may collect health data 200(e.g., including temperature data 200 a, blood condition data 200 b,blood pressure data 200 c, position data 200 d, body fat data 200 e, 3Dposition data 200 f, audio data 200 g, respiration data 200 h, neuraldata 200 i, and/or the like) via the various sensors 120 and/or thecomputer 130 of the employee's workstation 102. Accordingly, the server104 may collect health data 200 via multiple points of contact with theemployee (e.g., a first point of contact with the employee's head/eyes,a second point of contact with the employee's arms/hands, a third pointof contact with the employee's torso/back/legs, a fourth point ofcontact with the employee's feet, and a fifth point of contact with theemployee's head/brain).

In some embodiments, collecting health data includes executing a singlemeasurement by some or all of the sensors 120. For example, some or allof the sensors 120 may be employed to record a single measurement insequence (e.g., one after the other) or in parallel (e.g., at the sametime) and transmit corresponding health data 200 to the computer 130.The computer 130 may collect the single measurement from each of thesensors 120 and transmit corresponding health data 200 to the server 104for use in monitoring the employee's health.

In some embodiments, collecting health data includes executing multiplemeasurements by some or all of the sensors 120. For example, some or allof the sensors 120 may be employed to record a set of measurements(e.g., one per minute) over a given period of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 1hour, 8 hours, or the like) and transmit corresponding health data 200to the computer 130. The computer 130 may collect the measurements fromeach of the sensors 120 and transmit corresponding health data 200, asit is received, to the server 104 for use in monitoring the employee'shealth.

In some embodiments, the health data 200 is collected via health testthat are initiated by the server 104. For example, the server 104 mayexecute a health monitoring routine that requires health data 200 to besensed/collected according to a given test schedule/routine (e.g.,sensed/collected from 8 am-6 pm, sensed/collected hourly from Sam to 6pm, and/or the like), the server 104 may determine that health data isrequired based on the schedule, and, in response to determining thathealth data is required, the server 104 may transmit, to the computer130 and/or the sensors 120 corresponding requests to sense, collect andforward, to the sever 104, the health data 200 according to theschedule. For example, where a test schedule/routine requires collectionof health data from Sam to 6 pm, the server 104 may send, to thecomputer 130 at 8 am, a first request to initiate collection andforwarding of health data 200 to the server 104, and send, to thecomputer 130 at 6 pm, a second request to terminate collection andforwarding of the health data 200 to server 104. In such an embodiment,the computer 130 may continually acquire (and forward to server 104),health data 200 from Sam to 6 pm. The server 104 may transmit similarrequests in accordance with any suitable test routine/schedule. Forexample, where a test schedule/routine requires collection of healthdata hourly from Sam to 6 pm, the server 104 may send, to computer 130at each of 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and so forth, a request to collect andforward health data 200 to the server 104. In such an embodiment, thecomputer 130 may collect (and forward to server 104) a set of healthdata 200 each hour from Sam to 6 pm (e.g. at 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and soforth). In some embodiments, the health data 200 for one or moreemployees may be logged over time. The logged data may be used togenerate health profiles and/or reports that are based on current and/orhistorical health data 200.

In some embodiments, the server 104 may initiate a health test based onan external request/event, such as a request initiated by a user. Forexample, where an employee or an employer is interacting with aninteractive health dashboard for a given employee (as discussed in moredetail below) and the user requests to run a health test, the server 104may determine that health data is required based on the request, and, inresponse to determining that health data is required, the server 104 maytransmit a corresponding request to collect and forward health data 200to the computer 130. In such an embodiment, the computer 130 may collecta set of health data 200 at or near the time of the user's request toconduct a health test and forward the set of health data 200 to theserver 104. Thus, the server 104 may initiate health test automatically(e.g., based on a test schedule/routine) and/or in response to externalrequest (e.g., from an employee, an employer, or other user).

Method 1220 may include processing the collected health data to generatea corresponding health profile, as depicted at block 1224. In someembodiments, a health profile 1300 is generated based on processing ofthe collected health data 200. The health profile 1300 may includehealth characteristics 1302, health conditions 1304, health risks 1306,and/or health plans 1308 for the employee.

In some embodiments, the health characteristics 1302 may include a firstlevel of health profile data that is derived from the collected healthdata 200. For example, the server 104 may process the collected healthdata 200 to identify various biometric health characteristics 1302 aand/or biomechanical health characteristics 1302 b for the employee.Biometric health characteristics 1302 a may include, for example, theemployee's sensed body temperature 1310, body weight 1311, body fat1312, heart rate 1313, blood pressure 1314, blood condition (e.g., bloodoxygenation, blood glucose level, etc.) 1315, respiration rate 1316,neural/brain activity 1317, and/or the like. Biomechanical healthcharacteristics 1302 b may include, for example, the employee's sensedbody position 1320 (e.g., the employee's physical positioning and/ormovement of the employee's head, torso, arms, hands, legs, feet, and/orthe like), eye movement (e.g., focal point, blink rate, pupil dilationof the eye, and/or the like) 1321, neural/brain activity 1317, and/orthe like.

In some embodiments, some or all of the health characteristics 1302 areprovided directly via the health data 200. For example, the health data200 may include a value for heart rate (e.g., 80 beats per minute(“BPM”). In some embodiments, some or all of the health characteristics1302 are extrapolated from the health data 200. For example, the healthdata 200 may include a set of measurements indicative of the number ofemployee's heart beats over a period of time (e.g., 20 heart beats overfifteen seconds) and the server 104 may process the set of data todetermine the corresponding hear rate value (e.g., 80 BPM). The healthdata 200 may be received and/or processed in a similar manner todetermine values for the other health characteristics 1302 based onreceived values and/or data sets.

In some embodiments, the body weight 1311 is based on forces measured byone or more sensors. For example, where only the force transducers 622of the floor mat 460 sense a force, it may be determined that theemployee is standing, and the force sensed by the force transducers 622of the floor mat 460 may be used to determine the employee's weight. Asa further example, where the force transducers 622 of the chair pad 450and/or the force transducers 622 of the floor pad 460 sense a force, itmay be determined that the employee is seated in the chair 404, and theforce sensed by the force transducers 622 of the seat pad 610 of thechair pad 450 and the floor may 460 may be added together to determinethe employee's weight.

In some embodiments, the body fat 1312 is based on body fat data 200 ecollected via one or more of the body fat sensors 210. For example, thebody fat 1012 may be determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis(BIA) of the impedance/resistance sensed by the body fat sensor 210.Ideally, male employees will have a body fat measurement of about 8-17%and female employees will have a measurement between about 10-21%. Thebody fat 1012 may include a body fat percentage which is determined asthe total weight of the person's fat divided by the person's weight.

In some embodiments, the heart rate 1013 is based on blood pressure data200 c collected via one or more of the blood pressure sensors 206. Forexample, the heart rate 1013 may be determined using the rate ofpulsations of blood pressure which may correspond to the heart rate. Insome embodiments, the heart rate 1313 is determined as the number ofheart beats over a given period of time, typically sixty seconds. Theheart rate may be determined from the blood pressure data 200 c which isindicative of the rate of pulsations of blood flow that correspond tothe heart rate.

In some embodiments, the blood pressure 1314 is based on blood pressuredata 200 c collected via one or more of the blood pressure sensors 206.The blood pressure 1014 may be determined from the blood pressure data200 c which is indicative of pressure pulsations due to blood flow. Forexample, the blood pressure 1014 may be determined based on a maximumblood pressure detected (e.g., the “systolic” blood pressure) and theminimum blood pressure detected (e.g., the “diastolic” blood pressure).The blood pressure 1314 may be recorded as the systolic blood pressureover the diastolic blood pressure (e.g., 90/60 mmHg).

In some embodiments, the blood condition 1315 is based on bloodcondition data 200 b collected via one or more of the blood conditionsensors 204. For example, the blood oxygenation, blood glucose level,and/or the like may be determined from blood condition data 200 bprovided by a pulse oximeter or similar blood conditions sensor.

In some embodiments, the respiratory rate 1316 is based on respirationdata 200 h collected via one or more of the respiration sensors 216. Forexample, the respiration rate may be determined based on a number ofbreaths sensed by the respiration sensor 216 over a given period oftime. For example, where the respiration data 200 h indicates that theemployee has taken four breaths in fifteen seconds, the employeesrespiration rate 1316 may be determined as sixteen breaths per minute(Vf).

In some embodiments, the brain activity 1317 is based on neural data 200i collected via one or more of the neural sensors 218. In someembodiments, the brain activity 1317 includes a log of neuro-signals(e.g., including alpha, beta, gamma, and delta waves) that areindicative of the employee's brain state, including the employee'semotional state, thoughts (e.g., cognitive thoughts, subconsciousthoughts, and intent), facial movements (e.g., facial expressions),motor functions and/or the like. The brain activity 1317 may include orotherwise be extrapolated from the neural data 200 i. The brain activity1317 may be both of a biometric and biomechanical characteristic basedat least on its use in determining various biometric and biomechanicalhealth profile data (e.g., various biometric and biomechanicalconditions and identified/predicted health risks).

In some embodiments, the body position 1320 is based on body positiondata 200 f collected via one or more of the body position sensors 212.In some embodiments, the body position 1320 is indicative of theposition of the employee's head, torso, arms, hands, legs, feet or thelike. The employee's body position 1320 may be provided by 3D positionsensor 212. In some embodiments, the employee's body position may bedetermined based on the forces sensed by various ones of the positionssensors 208. For example, it may be determined that the employee isleaning back in their chair where a high force is sensed by a forcetransducer 622 located in the back-pad 612 of the chair pad 450 relativeto a force sensed by a force transducer 622 located in the seat pad 610of the chair pad 450.

In some embodiments, one or more of the health characteristics 1302 maybe used to determine one or more of the health conditions 1304. Thehealth conditions 1304 may include a second level of health profile datathat is derived from the one or more of the health characteristics 1302and/or the collected health data 200. For example, the server 104 mayprocess the health characteristics 1302 and/or the collected health data200 to extrapolate various biometric health conditions 1304 a and/orbiomechanical health conditions 1304 b for the employee. Biometrichealth conditions 1304 a may include, for example, a body mass index(“BMI”) 1330, a body composition 1331, a fitness level 1332, a restingheart rate (“RHR”) 1333, a maximum heart rate (“MHR”) 1334, a targetheart rate (“THR”) 1335, and/or the like for the employee. Biomechanicalhealth conditions 1304 b may include, for example, posture (“postureanalysis”) 1340, muscle tension 1341, a stress level 1342, an injury1343, an eye fatigue level 1344, facial movements 1345, motor functions(e.g., gestures) 1346, and/or the like for the employee.

In some embodiments a health condition 1304 may be determined based onone or more health characteristics 1302 and/or other data (e.g., theemployee's personal profile). For example, BMI 1330 and/or bodycomposition 1331 may be extrapolated from body weight 1311 and body fat1312. Fitness level 1332 may be based on weight 1311, heart rate 1313,and/or blood pressure 1314. Resting heart rate 1333, maximum heart rate1334, and/or target heart rate 1335 may be based on the heart rate 1313and/or the employee's age. Emotions 1336 and/or thoughts 1337 may bebased on the employee's brain activity 1317. Posture 1340 and muscletension 1341 may be based on the observed body position 1320 of theemployee (e.g., physical positioning and movement of the head, torso,arms, hands, legs, feet, and/or the like). Stress level 1341 and injury1343 may be based on the observed body position 1320 and/or eye movement1321 of the employee. Eye fatigue 1344 may be based on the observed eyemovement 1321 of the employee. Facial movements 1345 and/or motorfunctions 1346 may be determined based on the brain activity 1317.

The BMI 1330 may be the individual's body mass (m) divided by the squareof their height (h). In some embodiments, BMI 1330 is determined usingthe following equation:

BMI=m*703/h ²  (1)

Where “m” is the employee's mass (in kg. or lbs.) and “h” is theemployee's height (in meters or inches). Using this relationship, theserver 104 can determine whether the employee is of average weight(e.g., having a BMI in the range of about 18.5-25), overweight (e.g.,having a BMI in the range of about 25-30), or obese (e.g., having a BMIover about 30).

The body composition 1331 may indicate a percentage of bone, fat and/ormuscle in the employee's body. In some embodiments, the body compositionis determined based at least on the body fat percentage and the bodyweight 1311.

In some embodiments, the fitness level 1332 is indicative of theemployee's body's ability to withstand a physical workload and/orrecover in a timely manner. The fitness level 1332 may be based on theemployee's heart rate. For example, an employee may be determined tohave a good fitness level if their heart rate 1313 includes a restingheart rate (e.g., RHR 1334) under about 100 BPM.

In some embodiments, the respiratory rate 1316 is indicative of thenumber of breaths taken within a set amount of time (e.g., 60 seconds).In some embodiments, the resting heart rate (RHR) 1333 is the measuredheart rate (HR) 1313 taken at a period of low activity by the employee(e.g., while seated in the chair 404 and not engaging in any workactivities). The maximum heart rate (MHR) 1334 may be determined usingthe following equation:

MHR=205.8−(0.685×age)  (2)

Where “age” is the age of the employee in years. The target heart rate(THR) 1335 may be calculated using the following formula (e.g., the“Karvonen method”):

THR=((MHR−RHR)×% intensity)+RHR.  (3)

Where intensity is a percentage, typically about 65%-85%. The targetheart rate 1335, resting heart rate 1333 and maximum heart rate 1334 maybe provided to the employee to aid the employee in safe exerciseregimens, the formulation of a health plan, and the determination ofwhether the employee has met its health plan goals for the day, e.g.,whether the employee has reached their target heart rate 1335 by thedistance and length of time the employee has indicated to the program ithas exercised. Also, if the employee's resting heart rate 1333 is above100 beats per minute, for example, the system may provide the employeewith an alert/warning regarding a risk of cardiovascular disease,stroke, or obesity via a health dashboard 1390 and/or a health report.

In some embodiments, the employee's emotions 1336, thoughts 1337, facialmovements 1345 and/or motor functions 1346 are based on the sensed neurosignals (e.g., brain activity 1317). For example, a plurality ofpredetermined brain wave patterns may be associated with correspondingemotions, thoughts, facial movements and/or motor functions. Duringprocessing of the brain activity 1317, the sensed/observed neuro signalsmay be compared to the plurality of predetermined neural signal patternsto identify a match there between. Upon matching the observed neurosignals to one or more of the predetermined neural signal patterns, itmay be determined that the employee is engaged in corresponding emotions(e.g., happy, sad, excited, depressed, etc.) 1336, thoughts (e.g.,intent to take an action, etc.) 1337, facial movements (e.g., facialgestures such as smiling) 1345 and/or motor functions (e.g., a sequenceof movements) 1346. In some embodiments, as described herein, ananimated avatar may be used to mimic the employee's current emotionalstate and/or facial gesture. For example, when it is determined that theemployee is happy and/or smiling, the avatar can be animated to includea smile, providing the employee or other persons reviewing theemployee's health (e.g., the employer) with an indication of theemployee's current emotional state and/or facial expression. In someembodiments, the ability to determine the employee's thoughts may beemployed to assist the employee with completing their work duties. Forexample, where the system 100 is able to determine that the employeeintends to open a word processing application, the system 100 may launchthe word processing application based on the determined intent to act,without any physical interaction by the employee.

In some embodiments, a determination of the employee's posture 1340 maybe based on body position 1320. For example, the employee may bedetermined to have good posture that where one or more of the employee'shands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallelto the floor; the employee's head is level, or bent slightly forward,forward facing, and balanced, and generally in-line with the torso; theemployee's shoulders are relaxed and its upper arms hang normally at theside of the body; the employee's elbows stay in close to the body andare bent at angles between about 90 and 120 degrees; the employee's feetare fully supported by the floor or a footrest (if the employee's deskheight is not adjustable); the employee's back is fully supported whensitting vertical or leaning back slightly; the employee's thighs andhips are generally parallel to the floor; and/or the employee's kneesare about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward.The posture 1340 may include a determined proper alignment of the head,torso, arms, and feet when the employee is sitting in the chair and theemployee's deviation from the proper alignment based on the observedbody position 1320. In some embodiments, the actual body position of theemployee, relative to the ideal body position may be determined and theposture 1340 may indicate, a percentage deviation of the actual bodyposition to the ideal body position and/or may include suggestions forimproving the employee's posture (e.g., sit up in chair with lower backfirmly contacting chair lumbar support).

In some embodiments, the level of muscle tension 1341 may be determinedbased on the employee's body position 1320, including, for example theemployee's arm position and shoulder height (e.g., whether theemployee's shoulders are raised and the arm is bent in a sub-optimumway), the employee's respiratory rate 1316, and the length of time theemployee's arm has been extended to operate the mouse 408. For example,it may be determined that the employee is experiencing a high level ofmuscle tension where the employee's arm is extended to use the mouse 408and/or shoulder is raised for over twenty minutes. Using thesemeasurements, the system can determine an estimate of the employee'smuscle tension 1341 using known techniques.

In some embodiments, a level of eye fatigue 1344 may be determined basedon the employee's eye movement 1321. For example, it may be determinedthat the employee is experiencing a high level of eye fatigue 1344 wheretheir blink rate has slowed to less than fifteen blinks per minuteand/or the employee has been staring at substantially the same position(e.g., the monitor) for an extended period (e.g., over twenty minutes).

Although the illustrated embodiment includes sets of healthcharacteristics 1302 and corresponding health conditions 1304extrapolated therefrom, it will be appreciated that embodiments mayinclude one or more of the listed health conditions 1304 being providedas health characteristics 1302 or vice versa. For example, where asensor 120 provides a resting heart rate value, the resting heart ratemay be provided as a health characteristic 1302 as opposed to a healthcondition 1304 extrapolated from the health characteristics 1302.Similar characteristics may be provided for any of the health conditions1304.

The biometric and/or biomechanical health characteristics 1302, healthconditions 1304 and/or other data (e.g., personal profile information)may be used to identify/predict corresponding health risks 1306. Thehealth risks 1306 may include a third level of health profile data thatis derived from one or more of the health conditions 1304, the healthcharacteristics 1302 and/or the collected health data 200. For example,the server 104 may process the health conditions 1304, the healthcharacteristics 1302 and/or the collected health data 200 usingpredictive analytics to extrapolate various biometric health risks 1306a and/or biomechanical health risks 1306 b for the employee (i.e., risksfor developing the associated health condition). Risk 1306 may include aprediction of a health condition that may occur. For example, where therecent health data for an employee indicates a trend of increasing bodyweight for an employee, it may be predicted that the employee is at riskfor becoming obese within a given time period. Biometric health risks1306 a may include, for example, risk of obesity 1350, risk of injury1351, risk of diabetes 1352, risk of infection 1353, risk ofinflammation 1354, risk of circulation problems 1355, risk ofcardiovascular disease 1356, risk of a cardiovascular accidents (e.g.,stroke) 1357, risk of illness (e.g., the flu) 1358, risk of developingasthma 1359, risk of developing allergies 1360, risk of developingbronchitis 1361, risk of experiencing depression 1362, and/or the like.Biomechanical health risks 1306 b may include, for example, risk of backinjury 1363 (e.g., upper/lower back pain), risk of neck injury 1364,risk of musculoskeletal syndrome (“MSD”) 1365, risk of carpal tunnelsyndrome (“CTS”) 1366, risk of epicondylitis (i.e., tennis/golfer'selbow) 1367, risk of a rotator cuff injury 1368, risk of eye disease1369, risk of physical fatigue, and/or the like. The prediction ofhealth issues and the identification of associated health risks mayprovide a proactive environment for predicting and responding to healthrisks before they escalate into actual health conditions.

Risks of obesity 1350, injury 1351, diabetes 1352, and cardiovasculardisease may be based on BMI 1330 and/or body comp 1331. Risk ofinfection 1353, inflammation 1354, and circulation problems 1355 may bebased on body temperature 1310. Risk for cardio vascular disease 1356,cardiovascular accidents 1357, and obesity 1350 may be based on fitnesslevel 1332, blood pressure 1314, and heart rate 1313. Risk for illness1358, asthma 1359, allergies 1360 and bronchitis 1351 may be based onrespiratory rate 1316. Risk of depression 1362 may be based on theemployee's emotions 1336 and thoughts 1337. Risk of physical fatigue1370 may be based on the employee's motor functions 1346.

In some embodiments, an employee that is obese (e.g., having a BMI overabout 30) is determined to have a high risk of diabetes 1352 (e.g., arisk that is 7.37 time greater than normal), a high risk ofcardiovascular disease 1356 (e.g., a risk that is 2.5 time greater thannormal), a high risk of circulation problems 1355 (e.g., a risk that is6.38 times greater than normal risk for high blood pressure), a highrisk of asthma 1359 (e.g., a risk that is 2.72 time greater than normal)and other conditions, such as a risk for high cholesterol that is 1.88times greater than normal, for high arthritis that is 4.41 times greaterthan normal, and so forth.

In some embodiments, it is determined that the employee is at risk oralready has the flu or other illness if the employee has one or more ofa body temperature 1310 over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, a respiratory rate1333 greater than 20 respirations per minute, and a heart rate 1313greater than 100 BPM.

In some embodiments, it is determined that the employee is at risk forinflammation where, for example, the employee's blood pressure 1314 iselevated, the employee's heart rate 1313 is irregular and/or the bodytemperature 1310 is elevated above normal (e.g., above 98.6 degreesFahrenheit).

In some embodiments, it is determined that the employee is at risk forcirculation problems where, for example, the employee has a low bodytemperature 1310 (e.g., less than 35° C. (96° F.) measured at theextremities) or a high respiratory rate 1333) (e.g., greater than 20respirations per minute).

In some embodiments, it is determined that an employee is at risk fordepression where, for example, the employee's emotions 1336 and/orthoughts 1337 demonstrate a negative pattern. For example, the employeemay be determined to be at risk for depression where they have beendetermined to have an emotion of “unhappy” for greater than 50% of anobserved period of at least one week.

In some embodiments, it is determined that an employee is at risk forfatigue where, for example, the employee's motor functions 1346 arebelow their normal level. For example, the employee may be determined tobe at risk for physical fatigue where their motor function 1346 is lessthan 75% of its normal level for greater than one hour.

In some embodiments, some or all of the health characteristics 1302,health conditions 1304, and/or health risks 1306 may bedetermined/identified using known techniques for extrapolating data.Although the illustrated embodiment includes an exemplary listing ofhealth risks, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatother embodiments may include assessing any variety of health risks thatmay be of interest to the employee, the employer and/or other users.

In some embodiments, a health plan 1308 may be generated based on thehealth characteristics 1302, the health conditions 1304 and/or thehealth risks 1306. Accordingly, the health plan 1308 may be based onbiometric and/or biomechanical health information for the employee. Thehealth plan 1308 may provide a listing of health goals (e.g., lose tenpounds, reduce calorie intake to two-thousand calories per day, etc.),suggested actions for the employee to take to reach the health goals(e.g., an exercise plan, a diet regime, regular breaks from using thecomputer, etc.) and/or the like. In some embodiments, the health plan1308 includes a preventative health plan to help maintain and improvethe employee's health over time. In some embodiments, the health plan1308 may include an interactive health plan that can be modified by theemployee and/or the employer and/or used to track the employee'sprogress relative to the plan goals, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the health plan 1308 may be determined using adiscrete health test, or formulated from a plurality of health tests(e.g., current and historical health profile data) to determine the planbased upon a health test trend (e.g., the employee's blood pressure isrising, the employee has gained weight, the employee's BMI is higher,the employee is underweight, the employee's resting heart rate is low orhigh based upon activity level, etc.). In some embodiments, the healthplan is generated by calculating the employee's ideal healthcharacteristics/conditions based on the current healthcharacteristics/conditions/risks. In some embodiments, the differencebetween the current and ideal health characteristics/conditions/risks isused to identify or generate a corresponding health plan 1308.

FIG. 13B illustrates an exemplary health report 1380 in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present invention. Health report 1380 maybe generated based on health profile 1300 and/or other profileinformation (e.g., personal profile data) for the employee. For example,in the illustrated embodiment, the health report 1380 includes personalprofile information 1382, health test result data 1384 (e.g.,corresponding to health characteristics 1302, health conditions 1304,and health risk 1306 of the health profile 1300), health plan data 1386(e.g., corresponding to the health plan 1308 of the health profile1300), and logged health activities 1388 (e.g., corresponding toactivity entries by the employee, as discussed in more detail below).

Method 1220 may include providing a health profile, as depicted at block1226. Providing a health profile may include providing some or all ofthe content of the health profile 1300 for display to the employee, theemployer, a medical practitioner, an emergency responder, or the like.In some embodiments, the health profile 1300 may be provided via ahealth report document. For example, the server 104 may serve, to theemployee's computer 130 and/or the employer's computer 103 a heathreport document that is the same or similar to the health report 1380.

In some embodiments, the health profile 1300 may be communicated via aninteractive interface. For example, the server 104 may serve, to theemployee's computer 130 and/or the employer's computer 103, aninteractive health dashboard 1390 for communicating/displayinginformation of the health profile 1300 to the employee (e.g., viacomputer 130) and/or the employer (e.g., via computer 103). In someembodiments, the interactive health dashboard 1390 may enable a user(e.g., the employee) to selectively view/edit health profile information109 (e.g., including the health profile 1300, the personal profile data1382, activity data 1388 and/or the like) for the employee. For example,an employee may login to the health dashboard 1390 via an application(e.g., a web browser or other network access application) of thecomputer 130 and interact with the dashboard 1390 to update theirpersonal profile data 1382 (e.g., name, age, etc.), enter healthactivity information (e.g., food they have eaten, exercises they havecompeted, etc.), review the health profile data 1300, initiate a healthtest and so forth.

Providing the health report (including the health characteristics 1302and conditions 1304) may help to “inform” the employee regarding theirhealth status. Providing the health report (including the health risks1306) may help to “protect” the employee by alerting them to potentialproblems that may need to be addressed. Providing the health report(including the health plans 1308) may help to “reinforce” the employeeby providing a course of action that suggests actions that the employeeshould take to reduce their risk of developing health problems.

In some embodiments, an interactive health dashboard 1390 may enable theemployer to selectively view data of the health profile 1300 (e.g.,including health characteristics 1302, health conditions 1304, healthrisks 1306 and/or health plans 1308) for some or all of their employees.For example, an employer may login to the health dashboard 1390 via anapplication (e.g., a web browser) of the computer 103 and use thedashboard 1390 view/edit employees' personal profile 1382, the healthprofile 1300, the health activities 1388, and so forth.

In some embodiments, where the heath profile 1300 is indicative of theemployee incurring a health crisis (e.g., a stroke, heart attack, etc.),the server 104 may generate an alert to emergency personnel, theemployer or others. For example, upon detecting that the employee iscurrently having a heart attack, the server 104 may send an automatedthe alert to the employer (e.g., via computer 103) and make an automatedemergency call to the fire department, the police department, ahospital, onsite medical response personnel located at the workfacility, and/or other emergency response personnel (e.g., via thenetwork server 110).

An alert may be generated where it is determined that the employee isexperiencing a serious medical condition based on a healthcharacteristic/condition falling outside of a normal range (e.g.,falling below a minimum threshold value and/or exceeding a maximumthreshold value) such as a respiration rate 1316 outside of the normalrange of 12-120 breaths per minute, blood pressure 1314 outside of thenormal range of 90/60-180/120, blood oxygenation level above 90%, aposture 1338 indicative of the employee being slumped over or on thefloor and/or the like. In some embodiments, an abnormal characteristicor condition may be compared to other characteristics or conditions toconfirm that they are, as a whole, consistent with an emergency actuallyoccurring before alerting the corresponding response personnel, therebyreducing the likelihood of a false alert based on an inaccuratemeasurement (e.g., due to a faulty sensor 120). For example, an alertmay not be provided where the heart rate 1313 exceeds an upper thresholdlimit but the other characteristics and conditions remain relativelyunchanged (i.e., they are not elevated or low compared to theirbaseline).

In some embodiments, where the heath profile 1300 is indicative of theemployee incurring a serious health risks (e.g., high potential for oneof the health risk 1306 or the like), the server 104 may provide anotification to the employer and/or medical practitioners. For example,upon detecting that the employee is at risk of developing diabetes, theserver 104 may transmit an automated notification to the employer (e.g.,via the computer 103) and/or the employee's physician (e.g., via thenetwork server 110).

In some embodiments, the employee health information 109 for theemployee includes a record/log of the employee's health information. Forexample, the employee health profile data 109 may include, for eachemployee, employee personal profile data (e.g., name, age, etc.) 1312,the current/historical employee health profile 1300, thecurrent/historical employee activity data 1318, and so forth.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary database structure 1400 of health information109 stored in the database 108 in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the exemplaryhealth information 109 is structured to include the following tables:employee data 1402, health test 1404, protect 1406, muscle tension 1408,posture 1410, employee profile 1412, address 1414, health plan 1416, andhealth goals 1418. Each of the tables for a given user (e.g., employee)may include the same primary key (“PK”) that is unique with respect toother users, and, thus, may be used to identify tables/records for thegiven user. For example, all of the tables having health information forthe employee “John Doe” (having an employee ID of “1234”) may includethe primary key of “1234”.

The employee data table 1402 may include the employee's general userinformation. For example the employee data table 1402 may includeentries for the employee's last name, first name, password, socialsecurity number, a remote login code, e.g., RSA code, useridentification number and/or the like.

The health test table 1404 may include entries that reflect results ofone more health tests of the employee (e.g., health test conducted usingsensors 120 of workstation 102). The health test table 1404 may bedependent on employee data table 1402. In some embodiments, health testtable 1404 may include a unique test number, as well as measured datafor the respective test. For example, the health test table 1404 mayinclude data relating to measured health characteristics 1302 such asbody temperature, body weight, body fat, heart rate, respiratory rate,blood pressure, blood condition, body position, eye movement, and/or thelike.

The protect table 1406, the posture table 1410 and/or the muscle tensiontable 1408 may include entries that reflect one or more healthconditions 1304 for the employee associated with the given test numberof health test table 1404. The protect table 1406, the posture table1410 and/or the muscle tension table 1408 may be dependent on healthtest table 1404. In some embodiments, each of the protect table 1406,the posture table 1410 and/or the muscle tension table 1408 may includea unique test number, as well as measured/determined data for therespective condition. For example, the protect table 1406 may includeentries for the employee's user ID, body mass, resting heart rate,target heart rate and maximum heart rate. The muscle tension table 1408may include entries for related to the employee's muscle tension. Insome embodiments, the muscle tension table 1408 includes data used toassess muscle tension, such as arm position, test time, shoulderposition, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the muscle tension table1408 includes a muscle tension value indicative of the determined levelof the employee's muscle tension. The posture table 1410 may includeentries for related to the employee's posture. In some embodiments, theposture table 1410 includes data used to assess posture, such as head,arm, hand, feet, torso position and/or the like. In some embodiments,posture table 1410 includes a posture correction indicative of whetherthe employee's posture is acceptable and/or suggestions forcorrecting/improving the employee's posture. In some embodiments,similar tables may be generated for some or all of the other healthconditions 1304 and/or health risks 1306.

In some embodiments, tables (e.g., a health test table 1404, protecttable 1406, posture table 1410, muscle tension table 1408 and/or similartables may be generated for other health conditions 1304 and or healthrisks 1306 may be generated for each iteration of testing. For example,a set of tables may be generated for a first iteration of testing havingtest number “0001”, a second set of tables may be generated for a seconditeration of testing having test number “0002”, and so forth. In someembodiments, the test number may represent the test iteration for theemployee, such as a test number of “0001” is the first test taken by theemployee, and a test number of “0010” is the tenth test taken by theemployee. In alternative embodiments, the test number may indicate adate and time of a test so that multiple tests in run in a day can beidentified by date, time, and/or test iteration.

The employee profile table 1412 may be dependent from the employee datatable 1402. In some embodiments, the employee profile table 1412 mayinclude primary keys of the employee's user ID and permissions that areindicative of which portion of the database the employee can access. Forexample, in some embodiments, administrators of the employee healthprogram may have permission to download employee health profiles for aplurality of employees. In other embodiments, the permissions may grantsome employees permission to access tables aggregating employee profiledata, while other employees can only access their own profiles. In otherembodiments, the permissions may be set by the employee to restrict theemployer's access to health profile data (e.g., may allow no access,access for data aggregation only, or full access by restrictedpersonnel). As one skilled in the art will appreciate, there aremultiple different permission types that can be used to grant employeesaccess to the data in the database, and all are included within thescope of this disclosure. The employee profile table 1412 may includeentries for the employee's first name, last name, email address,physical address, age, sex, health goal and/or the like.

The address table 1412, the health plan table 1416, and the health goalstable 1418 may be dependent from the employee profile table 1412. Theaddress table 1414 may include a primary key of the employee's user ID,and entries for the employee's street address, city, state, zip code,user/employee name and/or the like. The health plan table 1416 mayinclude a primary key of the employee's user ID, and entries for theemployee's employee name, weight, calorie intake, cholesterol level,sodium intake, exercise regimen, blood glucose level, and/or the like.Health plan table 146 may reflect aspect of health plan(s) 1308 for theemployee. The health goals table 1418 may include a primary key of theemployee's user ID, and entries for target weight, calorie intake,cholesterol level, sodium intake, exercise regimen, blood glucose level,and/or the like. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, someembodiments of the invention may include one, both or none of the healthplan and health goals tables depending upon the implementation of thesystem. As one skilled in the art will also appreciate, the health plantable 1416 and health goals table 1418 can be compared to one another todetermine a deviation between the two that is indicative of the employeemeeting, exceeding or falling short of their health goals. In someembodiments, a notification indicative of the employee meeting,exceeding or falling short of their health goals may be provided to theemployee and/or the employer (e.g., via the interactive health dashboard1390).

It will be appreciated that the method 1220 is an exemplary embodimentof methods that may be employed in accordance with techniques describedherein. The method 1220 may be may be modified to facilitate variationsof its implementations and uses. The method 1220 may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Some or all of the method1220 may be implemented by one or more of the modules/applicationsdescribed herein, such as server modules 1210. The order of the method1220 may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered,combined, omitted, modified, etc.

Collecting and Displaying Health Information:

In some embodiments, a health monitoring application (e.g., executed byserver 104) provides various user interfaces for interacting with theemployee health information, including health profile data, healthreports, and the like. For example, a user may be able to login to theapplication to view or edit health information for themselves oremployees. In some embodiments, health information may be communicatedvia a health monitoring widget and/or an interactive health dashboard(e.g., dashboard 1390). For example, upon a user (e.g., an employee)logging in to the health monitoring application, the user's desktop maybe populated with a widget that displays a summary of the most recenthealth profile data for the employee and/or the user may be able tolaunch an interactive health dashboard that allows the user to view/edittheir health information and/or control the execution of health test forthe employee.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart that illustrates an interactive health monitoringmethod 1500 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. Method 1500 may include displaying a login screen, asdepicted at block 1502. In some embodiments, the login screen includesfields for entering user login credentials such as user ID, name,employee number, social security number, password, RSA code, and/or thelike. For example, FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary login screen 1600that may be displayed to a user via a computer display in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention. The login screen1600 includes a login dialog 1602 having name field 1604 for the entryof a user name, a password field 1606 for the entry of a user'spassword, and a login button 1608 that may be selected to submit thecredentials for validation. In some embodiments, the login screen 1600may be displayed to an employee, employer, or other personnel via agraphical user interface of the employee computer 130, the employercomputer 103, a remote computer 112 and/or the like. Upon selection ofthe login button 1608, the login credentials that have been entered bythe user may be received as depicted at block 1504. For example, thelogin credential submitted may be received by the server 104 for use inauthenticating the user login credentials.

In some embodiments, method 1500 may include authenticating the logincredentials as depicted at block 1506. In some embodiments,authenticating the login credentials may be provided by execution ofuser verification module 1210 a. In some embodiments, authenticating thelogin credentials may include comparing the received credentials to usercredentials stored in database 108 to determine whether or not the userhas permissions to access the employee health monitoring application.Where the credentials are not authenticated, the user may be deniedaccess, and returned to the display of the login screen as describedwith regard to block 1502. Where the login credentials areauthenticated, the method 1500 may proceed to displaying a home screenwith an option to access the employee health monitoring application, asdepicted at block 1508. For example, if the login credentials areauthenticated, a home page screen 1700 (e.g., a user desktop screen)including a user selectable employee health monitoring application icon1702 may be displayed, as depicted in FIG. 17.

In some embodiments, the home page screen 1700 may include an employeehealth status widget 1704. The employee health status widget 1704 may bedisplayed on the user's home screen in response to the user successfullylogging into the health monitoring application such that the employeecan view at least some of their health information and/or correspondinghealth alerts while working with other applications (e.g., wordprocessing applications, spreadsheet applications, etc.) on theircomputer 130. The employee health status widget 1704 may provide theemployee with feedback regarding their health condition based on theirmost recent health tests and health reports. For example, the healthstatus widget 1704 may include a health status avatar 1703, a healthsummary 1706, a performance indicator 1708, an emotion avatar 1710,and/or the like. The health status avatar 1703 may include a graphicaldepiction of the employee's current health. For example, the healthstatus avatar 1703 may include a graphical depiction of a human bodythat provides a graphical depiction of areas of the employee's body thatmay require attention. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, thehealth status avatar 1703 includes a graphic alert including the message“You are experiencing high blood pressure” and a heart graphic that maybe displayed in response to determining that the employee has high bloodpressure. Similar graphic alerts may be provided for othercharacteristics, conditions and/or risks. For example, a graphic alertincluding the message “Your eyes are fatigued” and a correspondinggraphic at the eyes of the health status avatar 1703 may be provided inresponse to a determination that the employee's eye are fatigued.

In some embodiments, the health status avatar 1703 may include acoaching avatar that provides instructions, suggestions, and/ordemonstrations that are intended to help coach the employee in improvingtheir health and accomplishing one or more of their health goals. Forexample, as described herein, the health status avatar 1703 may providean animated demonstration of an exercise that can be performed to helpthe employee alleviate a health alert condition, accomplish one or moreof their health goals, or the like. In some embodiments, the healthstatus avatar 1703 may provide the information audibly (e.g., viaspeakers of the user computer), with the avatar being animated such thatit appears the avatar is speaking to the user.

In some embodiments, the health summary 1706 displays of some or all ofthe current health characteristics, conditions and/or risks for theemployee. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the health summary1706 includes a listing of various health characteristics/conditionseach accompanied by a check indicative of the characteristic/conditionbeing acceptable or a flag indicative of the characteristic/conditionneeding attention. Thus, the health summary 1706 may provide a listingof current health characteristics, conditions, and/or risks for theemployee and corresponding alerts for health characteristics,conditions, and/or risks that may require attention.

In some embodiments, the performance indicator 1708 includes anindication of how the employee is performing. For example, theillustrated embodiment, the performance indicator includes a graphicalscale indicating the current determined level of stress for theemployee.

In some embodiments, the emotion avatar 1710 includes a graphicaldepiction of the employee's current emotional state, facial expression,gestures, and/or the like. For example, in response to determining thatthe employee is smiling and/or happy (e.g., via the determined emotion1336 and/or the determined facial movement 1345), the avatar 1710 may bedynamically updated to include a graphic illustration of a smile, asdepicted, to mimic the current emotion and/or facial expression of theemployee. Thus, the avatar 1710 may reflect the employee's currentemotional state, current facial expressions, gestures, and/or the like

In some embodiments, the health status information provided via thehealth widget 1704 is based on the most recent health report 1300 forthe employee. For example, where the employee undergoes a health testonce per hour, the health widget 1704 may be updated once per hour todisplay information corresponding to the most recent health test. As afurther example, where the employee undergoes continuous health testing(e.g., once per second, once per minute, etc.), the health widget 1704may be updated continuously (e.g., once per second, once per minute,etc.) to display information corresponding to the most recent healthtest. Such an embodiment may provide the employee with real-timefeedback regarding their current health status/profile.

In response to the user selecting the employee health monitoringapplication icon 1702 (and/or the health status widget 1704), method1500 may include proceeding to determining whether the user is anemployee to be monitored or other type of user (e.g., an employer thathas access to review employee health information 109) as depicted atblock 1512. In some embodiments, the determination of the type of useris based on a “user type” associated with their user profile. Forexample, a first set of login credentials may be associated with anemployee profile and a second set of login credentials may be associatedwith an employer profile. Where the user is determined to not be anemployee, the method 1500 may proceed to providing a reviewer interface,as depicted at block 1514. The reviewer interface is discussed in moredetail below with regard to FIG. 27.

Where the user is determined to be an employee, the method 1500 mayproceed to determining whether the employee is a new employee orexisting employee, as depicted at block 1516. The user may be determinedto be a “new employee” where, for example, the user has not previouslylogged into the system and/or has not yet provided basic employeepersonal profile information (e.g., sex, age, e-mail address, etc.). Theuser may be determined to be an “existing user” where, for example, theuser has previously logged into the system and/or has already providedbasic employee personal profile information. In some embodiments, upondetermining that the user is a “new user”, method 1500 may proceed tocollecting user personal profile information, as depicted at block 1518.For example, an edit profile dialog 1800, as depicted in FIG. 18, may bedisplayed, thereby prompting the user to enter employee personal profileinformation (e.g., the employee's height, age, gender, health goal,etc.). In some embodiment, the edit profile dialog 1800 may bepre-populated with any information that is already known (e.g., storedin database 108). For example, where the user's name is known based onthe login-credentials, the “name” field may be populated with the user'sname. The user may enter/edit the personal profile information via thevarious user profile information fields 1802 and may submit the updateduser profile information via section of the submit button 1804. Method1500 may include updating the employee's health information to reflectthe updated employee personal profile information, as depicted at block1520. For example, upon the user entering/editing the various userprofile information fields 1802 and selecting the submit button 1804,the employee health information 109 stored in database 108 may beupdated to reflect the updated personal profile data of the fields 1802.Such profile data may be stored as separate records, tables or fields inthe database (e.g., such as those discussed with regard to the datastructure of FIG. 14).

In some embodiments, upon the user having submitted their personalprofile information (e.g., via edit profile screen 1800) and/ordetermining that the user is not a “new user” (i.e., the user is an“existing user”), method 1500 may proceed to providing an interactivehealth dashboard (e.g., interactive health dashboard 1390) as depictedat block 1522. In some embodiments, the interactive health dashboard mayinclude user selectable options to review/edit their health information,review/edit their health profile data, and/or initiate one or moreemployee health tests.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart that illustrates a method 1900 for providing aninteractive health dashboard in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present invention. Method 1900 may include displaying theinteractive health dashboard, as depicted at block 1902. In someembodiments, displaying the interactive health dashboard includesdisplaying a default view of the interactive health dashboard. Forexample, displaying a default view of the interactive dashboard mayinclude display of a health dashboard 1390 similar to that describedwith regard to FIG. 21. As discussed in more detail herein, the healthdashboard 1390 may include a profile tab 2102 that is user selectable toaccess employee personal profile data, a report tab 2104 that is userselectable to access employee health profile data, and a test tab 2106that is user selectable to access employee health test functions. Insome embodiments, the profile tab 2102 is displayed by default.

In some embodiments, upon the user selecting the profile tab 2102, asdepicted at block 1904, method 1900 may include displaying theinteractive profile tab 2102, as depicted at block 1906. FIG. 20 is aflowchart that illustrates a method 2000 for displaying the profile tabin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.Method 2000 may include displaying profile content, as depicted at block2002. FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary display of the profile tab 210including profile content 2103 in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the healthprofile content 2103 of the profile tab 2102 includes an interactiveavatar 2110, health profile information 2112 and an edit profile button2114. In some embodiments, the server 104 may serve the profile content2103 to the employee computer 130 for display.

In some embodiments, the avatar 2110 may provide for communicatinghealth information to the user. For example, the avatar 2110 may includean animated character that “speaks” to the user (e.g., via speakers ofcomputer 130 and/or an audio headset) to communicate the profileinformation. For example, the avatar may ask audibly, “Would you like toupdate your user profile information? If so, select the ‘edit profile’button.” Such communication may help to encourage the employee tointeract with the employee health monitoring application and/or providevaluable instructions for how to use the application. In someembodiments, upon initially opening the employee health monitoringapplication, the avatar 2110 may direct the employee to certain datathat may be of interest and/or task that should be completed. Forexample, at the initial display of the profile tab 2102, the avatar 2110may state audibly, “You have not conducted a health test today, wouldyou like to do so? If so, select the ‘test’ tab.” As a further example,at the initial display of the profile tab 2102, the avatar 2110 maystate audibly, “You test results indicate that you are at risk for eyefatigue and your posture is poor. Please select the report tab toreceive suggestions on how to reduce eye fatigue and improve yourposture.” In some embodiments, the avatar 2110 may include a “coachingavatar” that provides instructions, suggestions, and/or demonstrationsthat are intended to help coach the employee in improving their healthand accomplishing one or more of their health goals of their healthplan. For example, as described herein, the avatar 2110 may provide ananimated demonstration of an exercise (e.g., how to perform sit-ups,stretching, or the like) that can be performed by the employee toaccomplish on more goals of their health plan (e.g., complete a dailyexercise goal) or otherwise improve their health (e.g., reduce anidentified health risk).

As discussed herein, a similar avatar may be provided in each of the tabdisplays to help communicate the corresponding health information to theuser and assist them with using the employee health monitoringapplication. Thus, an employee may be more likely to use the applicationand follow the health plan for the employee.

In some embodiments, the profile information 2112 reflects the currenthealth information 109 stored in database 108. The profile information2112, thus, may be based on personal profile information entered by theemployee (e.g., the employee's name) and/or health profile informationobtained as a result of test (e.g., the employee's weight). In someembodiments, upon user selection of the “Edit Profile” button 2114, asdepicted at block 2004, an interface for editing the user's personalprofile information may be displayed, as depicted at block 2006. Forexample, the edit profile screen 1800 of FIG. 18 may be displayed,thereby prompting the user to enter/edit the employee personal profileinformation. Where the user edits their personal profile information(e.g., via entry of edits and selection of the “Submit” button 1804), asdepicted at block 2008, the health information 109 stored in database108 may be updated to reflect the updated personal profile information,as depicted at block 2010. Upon selecting the option to “Exit” (e.g.,selecting the “Exit” button 1806), as depicted at block 2012, the method2000 may return to displaying the interactive health dashboard asdiscussed with regard to block 1902.

In some embodiments, upon the user selecting the test tab 2106, asdepicted at block 1908 of FIG. 19, method 1900 may include displayingthe interactive test tab 2106, as depicted at block 1910. FIG. 22 is aflowchart that illustrates a method 2200 for displaying the interactivetest tab in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. Method 2200 may include displaying heath test content, asdepicted at block 2202. FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate exemplary displaysof the test tab 2106 including heath test content 2300 in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention. In someembodiments, heath test content 2300 includes the avatar 2110, testschedule information 2302, a “Run Calibration” button 2304, a “ConductHealth Test” button 2306, and an “Exit” button 2308. In someembodiments, the server 104 may serve the health test content 2300 tocomputer 130 for display.

In some embodiments, upon initially displaying the test tab 2106, theavatar 2110 may direct the employee to certain data that may be ofinterest and/or task that should be completed relating to health test.For example, at the initial display of the test tab 2106, the avatar2110 may state audibly, “A health test was conducted at 9 am and anotherone is schedule for 10 am. Would you like to conduct a test now? If so,select the ‘Conduct Health Test’ button.” In some embodiments, thehealth test schedule information 2302 reflects when prior tests wereconducted and/or when future test are scheduled.

In some embodiments, upon user selection of the “Run Calibration” button2304, as depicted at block 2204, a calibration routine (e.g.,calibration module 1210 b) may be conducted, as depicted at block 2206.For example, a scan of the sensors 120 may be conducted to collect a setof baseline measurements for some or all of the health characteristics1302 and/or conditions 1304. The baseline measurements may be used toconfirm the operation of the sensors 120 and/or stored in health data109 for use in comparisons to other health data collected. In someembodiments, the calibration collects normative data regarding theemployee that can be used to properly interpret relative aspects of thehealth data. In some embodiments, the baseline measurements may not beadded to the content of a health profile data and/or health report 1380for the employee. In some embodiments, during execution of a calibrationroutine, a display similar to that of FIG. 23B may be displayed, stating“Calibrating, Please Wait” such that the user is aware of the currentstate of system 100.

In some embodiments, upon user selection of the “Conduct Health Test”button 2306, as depicted at block 2208, a health test routine (e.g.,monitoring module 1210 c) may be executed, as depicted at block 2210.For example, the sensors 120 may be monitored to collect health data 200and/or a corresponding health profile data 1300 and/or a correspondingreport 1380 may be generated. In some embodiments, during execution ofthe health test, a display similar to that of FIG. 23B may be displayed,stating “Running Test, Please Wait” such that the user is aware of thecurrent state of system 100.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart that illustrates a method 2400 for conducting ahealth test in accordance with one or more embodiment of the presentinvention. Method 2400 may include monitoring health sensors to collecthealth data, as depicted at block 2402. In some embodiments, monitoringhealth sensors to collect health data includes monitoring health sensors120 (e.g., one or more temperature sensors (e.g., thermocouples, IRsensors, etc.) 202, one or more blood condition sensors (e.g., pulseoximeters) 204, one or more blood pressure sensors (e.g., blood pressurecuff) 206, one or more position sensors (e.g., force transducers) 208,one or more body fat sensors (e.g., metallic contacts) 210, one or more3D position sensors (e.g., video sensors) 212, one or more audio sensors(e.g., microphone) 214, respiration sensors 216, neural sensors 218,and/or the like) to collect health data 200 (e.g., temperature data 200a, blood condition data 200 b, blood pressure data 200 c, position data200 d, body fat data 200 e, 3D position data 200 f, audio data 200 g,respiration date 200 h, neural data 200 i, and/or the like). In someembodiments, the health data is received by the server 104 as discussedherein.

In some embodiments, method 2400 may include processing the collectedhealth data to generate health profile data, as depicted at block 2404.For example, the health data 200 collected may be processed by theserver 104 to generate a health profile 1300 as described herein withregard to FIG. 13, including health characteristics 1302, healthconditions 1304, health risks 1306, and/or health plans 1308.

In some embodiments, method 2400 may include updating employee healthinformation, as depicted at block 2406. For example, the employee's userhealth information 109 stored in database 108 (e.g., the tables of datastructure 1400) may be updated to include the data of the health profile1300 (e.g., including health characteristics 1302, health conditions1304, health risk 1306 and one or more health plans 1308).

In some embodiments, method 2400 may include determining whether analert condition exists, as depicted at block 2408, and, if an alertcondition does exists, providing an alert relating to the alertcondition, as depicted at block 2410. Such a determination maybe made inthe course of the health test such that an immediate alert may beprovided to the necessary personnel. As discussed above, in someembodiments, determining whether an alert condition exists may includedetermining whether the health data 200 and/or the health profile 1300is indicative of the employee incurring a health crisis (e.g., a stroke,heart attack, etc.), and, if it determined that the employee isexperiencing a health crisis, providing a corresponding alert toemergency personnel and/or the employer. For example, upon detectingthat the employee is currently having a heart attack, the server 104 maygenerate an automated the alert to the employer (e.g., via computer 103)and/or an automated emergency request call to the fire department, thepolice department, a hospital, onsite medical response personnel locatedat the work facility, and/or other emergency response personnel (e.g.,via network server 110 and a remote computer 112). In some embodiments,determining whether an alert condition exists may include determiningwhether the heath report 1300 is indicative of the employee incurring aserious health risk (e.g., high potential for one of the health risk1306 or the like), and, if it determined that the employee isexperiencing a serious health risk, the server 104 generating anotification to the employer and/or medical practitioners. For example,upon detecting that the employee is at risk of developing diabetes, theserver 104 may generate an automated notification indicative of the riskto the employer (e.g., via computer 103) and/or the employee's physician(e.g., via network server 110 and a remote computer 112).

In some embodiments, the determination of whether an employee isexperiencing an alert condition may be based on comparison of the healthdata 200 and/or the health profile 1300 to predetermined thresholdlimits. For example, as discussed above, it may be determined that theemployee is experiencing a serious medical condition where a healthcharacteristic 1302 or condition 1304 falls outside of a predeterminednormal/threshold range (e.g., falling below a minimum threshold valueand/or exceeding a maximum threshold value) such as a respiration rate1316 outside of the normal range of 12-120 breaths per minute, bloodpressure 1314 outside of the normal range of 90/60-180/120, bloodoxygenation level above 90%, a posture 1338 indicative of the employeebeing slumped over or on the floor. In some embodiments, an abnormalcharacteristic or condition is be compared to other characteristics orconditions to confirm that they are, as a whole, consistent with anemergency actually occurring before alerting the corresponding responsepersonnel, thereby reducing the likelihood of a false alert based on aninaccurate measurement (e.g., due to a faulty sensor 120). For example,an alert may not be provided where the heart rate 1313 exceeds an upperthreshold limit but the other related characteristics and conditions(e.g., blood pressure and blood oxygenation) remain relatively unchanged(i.e., they are not abnormally elevated or low compared to theirbaseline). In some embodiments, the employee may be displayed an optionto override the alert prior to it being sent. Such an option may enablethe employee to inhibit false alerts from being transmitted.

In some embodiments, method 2400 may include determining whether thehealth test is complete, as depicted at block 2412, and terminatingmonitoring the health sensors where the heath test is determined to becomplete, as depicted at block 2414. In some embodiments, the healthtest is determined to be complete when the required amount of healthdata has been collected and processed. For example, where the healthtest requires only a single set of measurements from the sensors 120(e.g., a single measurement from each of the sensors 120), the healthtest may be complete after a single iteration of monitoring, processing,updating, and checking for alert conditions. As a further example, wherethe health test requires a set of measurements from the sensors 120 becollected over a given period of time (e.g., one minute, five minutes,one hour, eight hours), the health test may not be complete until theexpiration of the given time period. Thus, for example, iterations ofhealth testing may continue for one minute, five minutes, one hour,eight hours, or the like.

Although the illustrated embodiment refers to the method 2400 forconducting a health test being executed in response to a user requestvia selection of the “Conduct Heath Test” button, it will be appreciatedthat such a test routine may be executed in response to any variety ofrequests. In some embodiments, the method 2400 is executed automaticallyin accordance with a corresponding test schedule as discussed above. Forexample, where a health test schedule requires collection of health data200 at a given time (e.g., 12:00 pm), method 2400 may be automaticallyexecuted at 12:00 pm. As another example, where a health test schedulerequires the continuous collection of a batch of health data 200 from8:00 am-6:00 pm, method 2400 may be automatically executed at 8:00 am,and the health test may not be completed until 6:00 pm. As yet anotherexample, where a health test schedule requires the repeated collectionof health data 200 hourly from 8:00 am-6:00 pm, method 2400 may beautomatically executed at 8:00 am, 9:00 am, and so forth. In someembodiments, the method may be executed in response to an employer'srequest to execute a health test of the employee (e.g., via selection ofthe ‘Conduct Health Test” button 2306).

Upon user selection of the option to “Exit” (e.g., selecting the “Exit”button 2308 or 2310 of FIG. 23A or 23B), as depicted at block 2212 ofFIG. 22, the method may return to displaying the interactive healthdashboard as discussed with regard to block 1902. In some embodiments,the user may abort a health test, using the exit button 2310, regardlessof whether the health test was initiated by the employee or initiatedautomatically by the system 100 (e.g., based on a test schedule).

In some embodiments, upon the user selecting the report tab 2104, asdepicted at block 1912 of FIG. 19, method 1900 may include displayingthe interactive report tab 2104, as depicted at block 1914. FIGS. 25Aand 25B include a flowchart that illustrates a method 2500 fordisplaying the interactive report tab in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. Method 2500 may include displayinghealth report content, as depicted at block 2502. FIG. 26A-26Gillustrate an exemplary displays of the health report tab 2100 includinghealth report content 2600 in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present invention. In some embodiments, the server 104 may serve thehealth report content 2600 to computer 130 for display.

In some embodiments, an initial/summary view 2601 of the health reporttab 2102 includes the interactive avatar 2110, an emotion avatar 2603,an overview/summary of the heath profile data 2602, a “View Full Report”button 2603, a “View Plan” button 2604, a “View Info on Chart” button2606, a “View Neural Report” button 2608, and an “Exit” button 2610 (SeeFIG. 26A). The emotion avatar 2603 may be similar to the emotion avatar1710 described with regard to FIG. 17. For example, the emotion avatar2603 may include a graphical depiction of the employee's currentemotional state, current facial expressions, gestures, and/or the like.In response to determining that the employee is smiling and/or happy(e.g., via the determined emotion 1336 and/or the determined facialmovement 1345), the avatar 2603 may be dynamically updated to includegraphic illustration of a smile, as depicted, to mimic the currentfacial emotion and/or expression of the employee. Thus, the avatar 2603may reflect the employee's current emotional state, facial expressions,gestures, and/or the like

The overview of the heath profile data 2602 may include the determinedvalues for some or all of the health characteristics and/or healthconditions of the most recent health profile data 1300 for the employee.

In some embodiments, where the health profile data 1300 identifies oneor more health risk for the employee, a warning icon may be displayed inassociation to a user selectable link “View Risk Info”. For example,where the health profile data 1300 indicates the user is at risk forobesity and diabetes and/or heart disease, warning icon 2610 and thelink to “View Risk Info” 2612 may be displayed in the summary view ofthe report tab 2104. In some embodiments, where a condition isdetermined to be serious (e.g., where an alert condition exists), thewarning icon 2610 may be replaced with an “alert icon” that is intendedto communicate the importance of the alert condition. For example, thewarning icon 2610 may include a yellow triangle, where as the “alerticon” may include a flashing red “X” intended to catch the employee'sattention. In some embodiments, upon selecting the alert icon, theemployee may be prompted to override a corresponding alert or allow thealert to be transmitted. If the employee selects to override the alert,the alert may not be sent. Thus, a user may be able to control thesending of alerts, including those generated during execution of thehealth test of method 2000. If the employee does not override the alertin a given period of time (e.g., 10 seconds) the alert may betransmitted. In some embodiments, a similar warning icon and/orinteractive alert icon is displayed via the health status widget 1704.

In some embodiments, where the health profile data 1300 identifies oneor more health characteristics/conditions that may requireattention/correction, a user selectable link for navigating to acorresponding set of information is displayed. For example, where thehealth profile data 1300 indicates the employee's posture is incorrector otherwise needs to be adjusted, a user selectable link to “ViewPosture Info” 2614 may be provided. As a further example, where thehealth profile data 1300 indicates the employee's eyes may be fatigued,a user selectable link to “View Eye Info” 2616 may be provided.

Upon selection of the “View Plan” button 2604, as depicted at block2504, method 2500 may proceed to displaying health plan interface view,as depicted at block 2506. FIG. 26B illustrates an exemplary health planinterface view 2620 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, the health plan interface view2620 may include a health plan summary 2622. The health plan summary2622 may provide a summary of some or all of the current health plan1308 for the employee. For example, the health plan summary 2622 mayinclude a listing of health goals specified by health plan 1308. In someembodiments, the employee can edit the plan 1308 by selecting andmodifying a particular goal via the health plan interface view.

In some embodiments, the health plan interface view 2620 may include ahealth activity summary 2624 that reflects activities undertaken by theemployee in an attempt to follow the health plan 1308. For example, thehealth activity summary 2624 may include a listing of informationrelated to what the employee has eaten that day (e.g., calorie, fat,sodium, and fiber intake) and/or exercises undertaken by the employee.In some embodiments, upon selection of an “Add Activity” button 2626, anactivity entry view 2630 may be displayed, as depicted in FIG. 26C. Theemployee may select the “Food” button 2632 to enter a size/type of foodconsumed (one serving of oatmeal), and or select the “Activity” button2634 to enter a time/type of activity (e.g., running for 1 hour).

In response to receiving any edits to the plan (e.g., edit of the healthplan and/or entry of activities), as depicted at block 2508, theemployee's health information is updated to reflect the changes, asdepicted at block 2510. For example, the employee's user healthinformation 109 may be updated to include the modified health plan dataand/or the activities entered. Upon selection of the “Exit” button 2628,the method may return to displaying the initial/summary plan view ofFIG. 26A.

Upon selection of the risk icon/link 2610/2612, as depicted at block2512, method 2500 may proceed to displaying a risk interface view, asdepicted at block 2514. FIG. 26D illustrates an exemplary risk interfaceview 2640 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The risk interface view 2640 may include a health risk dialog2642 that alerts the user to health risk 1306 identified in theircurrent health profile data 1300. For example, where the current healthprofile data 1300 indicates the user is at risk for obesity and diabetesand/or heart disease, the dialog may inform them of the risk. In someembodiments, the avatar 2110 may read the content of the dialog aloud toensure the employee is aware of the risk. Alerting the employee topredicted health issues and/or associated health risks may enable theemployee to proactively respond to predicted health issues and/orassociated health risks before they escalate into actual healthconditions.

In some embodiments, the avatar 2110 may include a coaching avatar thatprovides instructions, suggestions, and/or demonstrations that areintended to help coach the employee in improving their health andaccomplishing one or more of their health goals. For example, asdescribed herein, the avatar 2110 may provide an animated demonstrationof an exercise (e.g., how to perform sit-ups, stretching, or the like)that can be performed by the employee to accomplish on more goals oftheir health plan (e.g., complete a daily exercise goal) or otherwiseimprove their health (e.g., reduce an identified health risk). In someembodiments, the coaching avatar 2110 may include an animated characterthat talks to the employee to help communicate coaching and suggestions.For example, the avatar 2110 may provide suggestions, such as “Yourblood pressure is high, try walking twenty minutes per day to reduceyour blood pressure”. The avatar 2110 may provide the informationaudibly (e.g., via speakers of the user computer), with the avatar 2110being animated such that it appears the avatar is speaking to the user.As a further example, the coaching avatar 2110 may provide coachingregarding the suggested actions. For example, where the health planincludes performing sit-up exercises, the coaching avatar 2110 may tellthe user audibly, “This is how to do a sit-up properly” followed by theavatar 2110 being animated to provide a visual demonstration of how todo a sit-up (See avatar 2110′). Such an interface may provide an aspectof interaction that encourages the employee to listen to, comprehend andact on the provided information. Moreover, such coaching may help toreduce the employee's level of anxiety about engaging in the suggestedactivities of the health plan by providing guidance that walks theemployee through the steps for completing the suggested activities.Coaching avatars may be provided throughout the interactive healthdashboard or similar interfaces (e.g., the health status avatar 1703 ofthe health status widget 1704) for communicating health information andcoaching the employee in improving their health and/or accomplishingtheir health goals.

Upon selection of the “Exit” button 2644, the method 2500 may return todisplaying the initial/summary plan view of FIG. 26A.

Upon selection of the “View Eye Info” link 2616, as depicted at block2516, method 2500 may proceed to displaying an eye interface view, asdepicted at block 2518. FIG. 26E illustrates an exemplary eye interfaceview 2650 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The eye interface view 2650 may include an eye informationdialog 2652 that provides suggestions to the employee for reducing eyefatigue. For example, the dialog may suggest that the employee take abreak from the computer every twenty minutes, and stare at an objecttwenty feet away for one minute during the breaks. In some embodiments,the avatar 2110 may read the content of the dialog aloud to ensure theemployee is aware of the exercise. In some embodiments, the avatar 2110may include a coaching avatar to help communicate the suggestions forreducing eye fatigue. For example, the avatar 2646 may include ananimated demonstration of a user looking away from their monitor toanother object located nearby. Upon selection of the “Exit” button 2654,the method may return to displaying the initial/summary plan view ofFIG. 26A.

Upon selection of the “View Posture Info” link 2614, as depicted atblock 2520, method 2500 may proceed to displaying a posture interfaceview, as depicted at block 2522. FIG. 26F illustrates an exemplaryposture interface view 2660 in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present invention. The posture interface view 2660 may include aposture information dialog 2662 that includes a summary of theemployee's body position 2664 (e.g., according to the most recent healthtest) and provides suggestions 2666 to the employee for improving theirposture. For example, the suggestion 2666 may suggest that the employeemove their lower back against the lumbar support of their chair. In someembodiments, the avatar 2110 may read the content of the dialog aloud toensure the employee is aware of their posture and the suggestions tocorrect/improve their posture. In some embodiments, the avatar 2110 mayinclude a coaching avatar to help communicate the suggestions forimproving the employee's posture. For example, the avatar 2110 mayinclude an animated demonstration of how to sit in a chair properly. Insome embodiments, the dialogue may include buttons to initiate testingof a particular aspect of their posture. For example, upon userselection of one of the “Neck”, “Head”, “Back” or “Hand” buttons 2668,the server 104 may employ corresponding sensors 104 and/or the computer130 to acquire health data 200 corresponding thereto, process the healthdata 200 to determine the current position of the employee's neck, head,back or hand, and update the summary of their body position 2664 in thedialogue 2662 to reflect their current body position. Such aninteractive feature may enable the employee to make incrementaladjustments to their body position, initiate a test for one or moreparts of the body, and receive instant feedback to ensure they arecorrecting their body position/posture. In some embodiments, a posturestatus icon 2667 may provide an indication of the employee's posture.The icon 2667 may be a warning icon (e.g., yellow triangle) when theemployee's posture needs to be adjusted and may be a positive icon(e.g., a green check) when the employee's posture is good and, thus,does not need to be adjusted. Upon selection of the “Exit” button 2669,the method may return to displaying the initial/summary view of FIG.26A.

Upon selection of the “View Info on Chart” button 2606, as depicted atblock 2524, method 2500 may proceed to displaying a chart interfaceview, as depicted at block 2526. FIG. 26F illustrates an exemplary chartinterface view 2670 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. The chart interface view 2670 may include a chart2672 displaying a plot of selected parameters. For example, the chartmay display a graph of the employee's weight over a selected period oftime (e.g., the last 3 months). In some embodiments, the employee mayselect one or more parameters (e.g., health characteristics 1302 and/orhealth conditions 1304) to be graphed and/or a timeframe over which theyare to be graphed, via a “Health Parameter” selection drop-down box 2674and a “Timeframe” selection drop-down box 2676, respectively. In someembodiments, the avatar 2110 may instruct the employee to select aparameter and a timeframe to be displayed via the drop-down selections.Upon selection of the “Exit” button 2678, the method may return todisplaying the initial/summary plan view of FIG. 26A.

Upon selection of the “View Report” button 2603, as depicted at block2528, method 2500 may proceed to displaying a health report interface,as depicted at block 2530. The health report interface may includedisplay of some or all of the information of the health profile 1300 forthe employee. For example, the health report interface may includedisplay of a health report similar to that of health report 1380 of FIG.13B. Upon completion of viewing the health report, the method may returnto displaying the initial/summary view of FIG. 26A.

Upon selection of the “View Neural Report” button 2608, as depicted atblock 2532, the method 2500 may proceed to displaying a neural reportinterface, as depicted at block 2534. The neural report interface mayinclude display of the health profile data relating to the neural/brainactivity for the employee. For example, the neural report interface mayinclude display of a neural report 2680 as depicted in FIGS. 26H-26K,including an EEG report 2682, an FFT report 2684, and a data packetsreport 2686. The neural report 2680 may include a neural sensor graphic2690 indicative of the status of various contacts points with theemployee's scalp. FIG. 26H illustrates an exemplary EEG report 2682 formultiple sensor channels. FIG. 26I illustrates an exemplary EEG report2682′ for a single selected sensor channel. The EEG report 2682 mayinclude a real time data stream and/or log of the neuro signals receivedfrom the neural sensors 218. FIG. 26J illustrates an exemplary FFTreport 2684 for a single selected sensor channel. The FFT report 2684may include a real time data stream and/or log of the neuro signalsreceived from the neural sensors 218 and an FFT histogram display of thevarious signal types (e.g., delta, theta, alpha, beta, and/or custombands). FIG. 26K illustrates an exemplary data packets report 2686. Thedata packets report 2686 may include a log of data packets transmittedfrom the neural sensors 218 (e.g., from the neuro-headset 480),including a log of any data packets that have been lost. Such a datapackets report 2686 may help verify data integrity by enablingconfirmation of the transmission of neural data 200 i to server 104.

Upon completion of viewing the health report, the method may return todisplaying the initial/summary plan view of FIG. 26A.

Upon selection of the “Exit” button 2610 illustrated in FIG. 26B, asdepicted at block 2536, the method 2500 may return to displaying theinteractive health dashboard as discussed with regard to block 1902.

Upon determining that the user is not an employee (see block 1514 ofFIG. 15), but is instead, for example, an employer having permissions toreview employee health profile, the method 1500 may proceed to providinga reviewer interface, as depicted at block 1514. FIG. 27 depicts anexemplary reviewer interface 2700 in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, where theuser has permission to review a set of employee's health information,the drop-down selection box 2702 is populated with the names of the setof employees. Upon selection of an employee (e.g., John Doe), thereviewer interface 2700 may provide an interactive reviewer healthdashboard 2704 that is the same or similar to the interactive dashboardthat would be displayed to the employee (i.e., the same or similar tothe interactive dashboard described above). Thus, for example, thereviewer may review and/or edit the selected employee's health profileand health report, and even initiate a health test for the employee.Such review may enable the employer to identify health conditions thatmay need to be addressed, to track employees' progress with regard tohealth plans, to ensure employees are engaging with the healthmonitoring system/application, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, a reviewer interface may enable a reviewer toselect a plurality of employee's to review. For example, a groupdrop-down box 2706 may enable a reviewer to select a particularfacility, region, division, team, or the like. Upon selection of a group(e.g., a particular facility, region, division, team, or the like) thereviewer interface may display health data/reports corresponding theemployees that work in the particular facility, region, division, team,or the like. For example, the reviewer may be presented with a reportsimilar to that of report 1380 of FIG. 13B, for the selected group. Sucha group report may include the average values of the healthcharacteristics, conditions, risk, plans and/or the like for the group,and/or corresponding statistics that can be used to assess the health ofthe group (e.g., standard deviations, etc.). Such an embodiment mayenable an employer to determine whether or not a particular group ofemployees (e.g., employees of a facility, region, division, team, or thelike) is experiencing normal or abnormal health conditions. For example,where a report for a facility indicates that an abnormally highpercentage of the employees at the facility have symptoms of allergies,the reviewer may determine that steps need to be taken at the facilityto reduce airborne contaminants that may be causing the allergysymptoms. As a further example, where a report for a team indicates thatan abnormally high percentage of the employee team members have symptomsof high stress or depression, the reviewer may determine that steps needto be taken to reduce the stress level and/or depression for the team.Thus, the review of employee health may enable the employer to takesteps to improve employee health, which may, in turn, increase theemployee's productivity.

In some embodiments, system 100 may identify whether or not a pluralityof employees appears to be experiencing similar conditions,characteristics, risks or the like, and may provide a correspondingalert to the employer. For example, where a report for a facilityindicates that an abnormally high percentage of the employees at thefacility have symptoms of allergies, the system 100 may generate analert to the employer regarding the condition.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart that illustrates a method 2800 of assessinghealth information for a plurality of employees to determine whether analert condition exists in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. Method 2800 may include monitoring health informationfor a plurality of employees, as depicted at block 2801. In someembodiments, monitoring health information for a plurality of employeesmay include reviewing the health profile data for a discrete group ofemployees. For example, monitoring health information for a plurality ofemployees may include reviewing health profile data for all of theemployees that work in a particular facility, region, division, team, orthe like. In some embodiments, monitoring health information for aplurality of employees includes determining the number/percentage of theplurality of employees that are experiencing a given characteristic,condition or risk. For example, monitoring health information for aplurality of employees may include determining the percentage of theemployee's that have a body weight is above 113 kg (250 lbs.). In someembodiments, monitoring health information for a plurality of employeesincludes determining a single value for a given characteristic,condition or risk. For example, monitoring health information for aplurality of employees may include determining the average weight forthe plurality of employees. Other embodiments may include similardeterminations for various other characteristics 1302, conditions 1304and risks 1306.

Method 2800 may include determining whether an alert condition existsbased on the review of the health profile data for the plurality ofemployees, as depicted at block 2802. In some embodiments, it may bedetermined that an alert condition exists based on comparison of resultsof the monitoring to predetermined threshold values. For example, wherea threshold percentage for a group of employees over 113 kg (250 lbs.)is 50%, it may be determined that an alert condition exists if greaterthan 50% of the group of employees has a body weight above 113 kg (250lbs.). As a further example, where a threshold average weight for agroup of employees is 113 kg (250 lbs.), it may be determined that analert condition exists if the average weight for the group of employeesis above 113 kg (250 lbs.). Other embodiments may include similardeterminations for various other characteristics 1302, conditions 1304and risks 1306.

In response to determining that an alert condition exists, method 2800may proceed to providing an alert to the employer relating to the alertcondition, as depicted at block 2804. In some embodiments, providing analert to the employer relating to the alert condition may includeproviding the employer with an alert indicating that a plurality of theemployees each have health profiles that are of concern. For example,upon logging into the health monitoring application, the employer may beprovided with a homepage screen that includes an alert to the condition.Alerting the employer to predicted health issues and/or associatedhealth risks may enable the employer to proactively respond to predictedhealth issues and/or associated health risks before they escalate intoactual health issues. For example, where an alert indicates that a highpercentage of employees at a facility are at risk for becoming obese,the employer may be able to implement a dietary program and/or anexercise program for the employees at the facility to help prevent theemployees from becoming obese.

FIG. 29 illustrates reviewer homepage screen 2900 including an alert2902 that may be displayed upon the reviewer logging into the healthmonitoring application in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent technique. Alert 2902 may include an icon, text, or otherinformation that is indicative of a plurality of employees experiencinghealth characteristics, conditions, or risk that may be of concern. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the alert 2902 is provided in awidget on the employer's desktop and states, “Greater than 50% of theemployees at the West facility have body weights over 250 lbs.”. In someembodiments, a similar alert may be provided within the interactivehealth dashboard displayed to the employer. For example, referring toFIG. 27, where the employer selects the “West Facility” in the “Group toreview” drop-down box 2706, the resulting display may include a similaralert stating “Greater than 50% of the employees at the West facilityhave body weights over 250 lbs.” Such embodiments may provide employerswith the ability to identify and remedy health issues that may beaffecting a group of employees.

It will be appreciated that the methods 1500, 1900, 2000, 2200, 2400,2500 and 2800 are exemplary embodiments of methods that may be employedin accordance with techniques described herein. The methods 1500, 1900,2000, 2200, 2400, 2500 and 2800 may be may be modified to facilitatevariations of its implementations and uses. The methods 1500, 1900,2000, 2200, 2400, 2500 and 2800 may be implemented in software,hardware, or a combination thereof. Some or all of the methods 1500,1900, 2000, 2200, 2400, 2500 and 2800 may be implemented by one or moreof the modules/applications described herein, such as server modules1210 and/or computer module 308. The order of the method 1500, 1900,2000, 2200, 2400, 2500 and 2800 may be changed, and various elements maybe added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed a typicalpreferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms areemployed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerabledetail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It willbe apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be madewithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described in theforegoing specification.

As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in apermissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather thanthe mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). The words “include”,“including”, and “includes” mean including, but not limited to. As usedthroughout this application, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “an element” may include a combinationof two or more elements. Unless specifically stated otherwise, asapparent from the discussion, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing”,“computing”, “calculating”, “determining” or the like refer to actionsor processes of a specific apparatus, such as a special purpose computeror a similar special purpose electronic processing/computing device. Inthe context of this specification, a special purpose computer or asimilar special purpose electronic processing/computing device iscapable of manipulating or transforming signals, typically representedas physical electronic or magnetic quantities within memories,registers, or other information storage devices, transmission devices,or display devices of the special purpose computer or similar specialpurpose electronic processing/computing device.

The techniques described herein may include or otherwise be used inconjunction with techniques described in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/504,638 filed on Jul. 5, 2011 and titled “SYSTEM,COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR IMPROVINGAND MONITORING THE HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,831 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 andtitled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORMONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,790 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 andtitled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORMONITORING AND IMPROVING COGNITIVE AND EMOTIVE HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES”,U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,796 filed on Jun. 14,2012 and titled “COMPUTER MOUSE SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUMAND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH ANDPRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/659,800 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 and titled “CHAIR PAD SYSTEM ANDASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FORMONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,807 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 andtitled “FLOOR MAT SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM ANDCOMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH ANDPRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/659,810 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 and titled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUMAND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING BIOMETRICHEALTH OF EMPLOYEES”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,818filed on Jun. 14, 2012 and titled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM ANDCOMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING BIOMECHANICALHEALTH OF EMPLOYEES”, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/659,824 filed on Jun. 14, 2012 and titled “SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUMAND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR COACHING EMPLOYEES BASED UPONMONITORED HEALTH CONDITIONS USING AN AVATAR”, the disclosures of whichare each hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In this patent, certain U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, or othermaterials (e.g., articles) have been incorporated by reference. The textof such U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials is,however, only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflictexists between such material and the statements and drawings set forthherein. In the event of such conflict, any such conflicting text in suchincorporated by reference U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, andother materials is specifically not incorporated by reference in thispatent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for monitoring employee health,comprising: an employee workstation comprising: a computer display; acomputer mouse sensing system; a chair sensing system; a floor matsensing system; and a neural sensing system, the computer mouse sensingsystem comprising a computer mouse and a set of computer mouse sensors,the set of computer mouse sensors comprising: a computer mousetemperature sensor disposed in a body of the computer mouse andconfigured to sense a body temperature of an employee seated in thechair; a computer mouse blood condition sensor disposed in the body ofthe computer mouse and configured to sense blood condition of theemployee seated in the chair; and a computer mouse blood pressure sensorcomprising a wireless blood pressure cuff configured to sense a bloodpressure of the employee, the chair sensing system comprising the chairand a set of chair pad sensors disposed in a seating surface of thechair, the set of chair pad sensors comprising: a chair pad temperaturesensor configured to sense the body temperature of the employee seatedin the chair; and a chair pad force sensor configured to sense force ofthe employee seated in the chair, the floor mat sensing systemcomprising a set of floor mat sensors disposed in the floor mat, the setof floor mat sensors comprising: a floor mat temperature sensorconfigured to sense the body temperature of the employee seated in thechair; and a floor mat force sensor configured to sense force of theemployee seated in the chair, and the neural sensing system comprising aset of neural sensors configured to be disposed about a scalp of theemployee seated in the chair and to sense brain activity of theemployee, a health monitoring server configured to: collect health datacomprising: the body temperature of the employee sensed by the computermouse temperature sensor; the blood condition of the employee sensed bythe computer mouse blood condition sensor; the blood pressure of theemployee sensed by the computer mouse blood pressure sensor; the bodytemperature of the employee sensed by the chair pad temperature sensor;the force of the employee sensed by the chair pad force sensor; the bodytemperature of the employee sensed by the floor mat temperature sensor;the force of the employee sensed by the floor mat force sensor; and thebrain activity of the employee sensed by the neural sensors; determine abody temperature of the employee based on the body temperature of theemployee sensed by the computer mouse temperature sensor, the bodytemperature of the employee sensed by the chair pad temperature sensorand the body temperature of the employee sensed by the floor mattemperature sensor; determine a blood condition of the employee based onthe blood condition of the employee sensed by the computer mouse bloodcondition sensor; determine a blood pressure of the employee based onthe blood pressure of the employee sensed by the computer mouse bloodpressure sensor; determine a weight of the employee based on the forceof the employee sensed by the chair pad force sensor and the force ofthe employee sensed by the floor mat force sensor; determine a brainactivity of the employee based on the brain activity of the employeesensed by the neural sensors; and provide, to the employee workstationfor display by way of the computer display, a health profile for theemployee comprising the body temperature of the employee determined, theblood condition of the employee determined, the blood pressure of theemployee determined, the weight of the employee determined, and thebrain activity of the employee determined, the computer displayconfigured to display the health profile for the employee.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the neural sensing system comprises a neural headsetcomprising the set of neural sensors configured to be disposed about ascalp of the employee.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the neuralsensing system comprises the set of neural sensors disposed in aheadrest of the chair and configured to be disposed about the scalp ofthe employee seated in the chair.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein theset of neural sensors comprise dry electrodes.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the health monitoring server is further configured to: compare aneural signal pattern of the brain activity of the employee sensed to aplurality of predetermined neural signal patterns to determine amatching neural signal pattern comprising neural signal pattern of theplurality of predetermined neural signal patterns that matches theneural signal pattern of the brain activity of the employee sensed; anddetermine a characteristic of the employee corresponding to the matchingneural signal pattern, wherein the health profile for the employeecomprises the characteristic of the employee corresponding to thematching neural signal pattern.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein thecharacteristic of the employee corresponding to the matched the neuralsignal pattern comprises risk of fatigue of the employee.
 7. The systemof claim 6, wherein the health monitoring server is further configuredto: determine a level of motor function corresponding to the matchingneural signal pattern; determine that the level of motor function isbelow a threshold value; and determining, in response to determiningthat that the level of motor function is below the threshold value, therisk of fatigue for the employee.
 8. A method for monitoring employeehealth, comprising: collecting, by a health monitoring server, healthdata for an employee located in an employee workstation, the employeeworkstation comprising: a computer display; a computer mouse sensingsystem; a chair sensing system; a floor mat sensing system; and a neuralsensing system, the computer mouse sensing system comprising a computermouse and a set of computer mouse sensors, the set of computer mousesensors comprising: a computer mouse temperature sensor disposed in abody of the computer mouse and configured to sense a body temperature ofan employee seated in a chair; a computer mouse blood condition sensordisposed in the body of the computer mouse and configured to sense bloodcondition of the employee seated in the chair; and a computer mouseblood pressure sensor comprising a wireless blood pressure cuffconfigured to sense a blood pressure of the employee, the chair sensingsystem comprising the chair and a set of chair pad sensors disposed in aseating surface of the chair, the set of chair pad sensors comprising: achair pad temperature sensor configured to sense the body temperature ofthe employee seated in the chair; and a chair pad force sensorconfigured to sense force of the employee seated in the chair, the floormat sensing system comprising a set of floor mat sensors disposed in thefloor mat, the set of floor mat sensors comprising: a floor mattemperature sensor configured to sense the body temperature of theemployee seated in the chair; and a floor mat force sensor configured tosense force of the employee seated in the chair, and the neural sensingsystem comprising a set of neural sensors configured to be disposedabout a scalp of the employee seated in the chair and to sense brainactivity of the employee, the health data collected comprising: the bodytemperature of the employee sensed by the computer mouse temperaturesensor; the blood condition of the employee sensed by the computer mouseblood condition sensor; the blood pressure of the employee sensed by thecomputer mouse blood pressure sensor; the body temperature of theemployee sensed by the chair pad temperature sensor; the force of theemployee sensed by the chair pad force sensor; the body temperature ofthe employee sensed by the floor mat temperature sensor; the force ofthe employee sensed by the floor mat force sensor; and the brainactivity of the employee sensed by the neural sensors; determining, bythe health monitoring server, a body temperature of the employee basedon the body temperature of the employee sensed by the computer mousetemperature sensor, the body temperature of the employee sensed by thechair pad temperature sensor and the body temperature of the employeesensed by the floor mat temperature sensor; determining, by the healthmonitoring server, a blood condition of the employee based on the bloodcondition of the employee sensed by the computer mouse blood conditionsensor; determining, by the health monitoring server, a blood pressureof the employee based on the blood pressure of the employee sensed bythe computer mouse blood pressure sensor; determining, by the healthmonitoring server, a weight of the employee based on the force of theemployee sensed by the chair pad force sensor and the force of theemployee sensed by the floor mat force sensor; determining, by thehealth monitoring server, a brain activity of the employee based on thebrain activity of the employee sensed by the neural sensors; anddisplaying, by the computer display, a health profile for the employeecomprising the body temperature of the employee determined, the bloodcondition of the employee determined, the blood pressure of the employeedetermined, the weight of the employee determined, and the brainactivity of the employee determined.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe neural sensing system comprises a neural headset comprising the setof neural sensors configured to be disposed about a scalp of theemployee.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the neural sensing systemcomprises the set of neural sensors disposed in a headrest of the chairand configured to be disposed about the scalp of the employee seated inthe chair.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the health monitoringserver is further configured to: compare a neural signal pattern of thebrain activity of the employee sensed to a plurality of predeterminedneural signal patterns to determine a matching neural signal patterncomprising neural signal pattern of the plurality of predeterminedneural signal patterns that matches the neural signal pattern of thebrain activity of the employee sensed; and determine a characteristic ofthe employee corresponding to the matching neural signal pattern,wherein the health profile for the employee comprises the characteristicof the employee corresponding to the matching neural signal pattern. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein the characteristic of the employeecorresponding to the matched the neural signal pattern comprises risk offatigue of the employee.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the healthmonitoring system is further configured to: determine a level of motorfunction corresponding to the matching neural signal pattern; determinethat the level of motor function is below a threshold value; anddetermining, in response to determining that that the level of motorfunction is below the threshold value, the risk of fatigue for theemployee.
 14. Non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprisingprogram instructions for monitoring employee health stored thereon thatare executable by a processor to cause the following operations:collecting, by a health monitoring server, health data for an employeelocated in an employee workstation, the employee workstation comprising:a computer display; a computer mouse sensing system; a chair sensingsystem; a floor mat sensing system; and a neural sensing system, thecomputer mouse sensing system comprising a computer mouse and a set ofcomputer mouse sensors, the set of computer mouse sensors comprising: acomputer mouse temperature sensor disposed in a body of the computermouse and configured to sense a body temperature of an employee seatedin the chair; a computer mouse blood condition sensor disposed in thebody of the computer mouse and configured to sense blood condition ofthe employee seated in the chair; and a computer mouse blood pressuresensor comprising a wireless blood pressure cuff configured to sense ablood pressure of the employee, the chair sensing system comprising thechair and a set of chair pad sensors disposed in a seating surface ofthe chair, the set of chair pad sensors comprising: a chair padtemperature sensor configured to sense the body temperature of theemployee seated in the chair; and a chair pad force sensor configured tosense force of the employee seated in the chair, the floor mat sensingsystem comprising a set of floor mat sensors disposed in the floor mat,the set of floor mat sensors comprising: a floor mat temperature sensorconfigured to sense the body temperature of the employee seated in thechair; and a floor mat force sensor configured to sense force of theemployee seated in the chair, and the neural sensing system comprising aset of neural sensors configured to be disposed about a scalp of theemployee seated in the chair and to sense brain activity of theemployee, the health data collected comprising: the body temperature ofthe employee sensed by the computer mouse temperature sensor; the bloodcondition of the employee sensed by the computer mouse blood conditionsensor; the blood pressure of the employee sensed by the computer mouseblood pressure sensor; the body temperature of the employee sensed bythe chair pad temperature sensor; the force of the employee sensed bythe chair pad force sensor; the body temperature of the employee sensedby the floor mat temperature sensor; the force of the employee sensed bythe floor mat force sensor; and the brain activity of the employeesensed by the neural sensors; determining, by the health monitoringserver, a body temperature of the employee based on the body temperatureof the employee sensed by the computer mouse temperature sensor, thebody temperature of the employee sensed by the chair pad temperaturesensor and the body temperature of the employee sensed by the floor mattemperature sensor; determining, by the health monitoring server, ablood condition of the employee based on the blood condition of theemployee sensed by the computer mouse blood condition sensor;determining, by the health monitoring server, a blood pressure of theemployee based on the blood pressure of the employee sensed by thecomputer mouse blood pressure sensor determining, by the healthmonitoring server, a weight of the employee based on the force of theemployee sensed by the chair pad force sensor and the force of theemployee sensed by the floor mat force sensor; determining, by thehealth monitoring server, a brain activity of the employee based on thebrain activity of the employee sensed by the neural sensors; anddisplaying, by the computer display, a health profile for the employeecomprising the body temperature of the employee determined, the bloodcondition of the employee determined, the blood pressure of the employeedetermined, the weight of the employee determined, and the brainactivity of the employee determined.
 15. The medium of claim 14, whereinthe neural sensing system comprises a neural headset comprising the setof neural sensors configured to be disposed about a scalp of theemployee.
 16. The medium of claim 14, wherein the neural sensing systemcomprises the set of neural sensors disposed in a headrest of the chairand configured to be disposed about the scalp of the employee seated inthe chair.
 17. The medium of claim 14, wherein the health monitoringserver is further configured to: compare a neural signal pattern of thebrain activity of the employee sensed to a plurality of predeterminedneural signal patterns to determine a matching neural signal patterncomprising neural signal pattern of the plurality of predeterminedneural signal patterns that matches the neural signal pattern of thebrain activity of the employee sensed; and determine a characteristic ofthe employee corresponding to the matching neural signal pattern,wherein the health profile for the employee comprises the characteristicof the employee corresponding to the matching neural signal pattern. 18.The medium of claim 17, wherein the characteristic of the employeecorresponding to the matched the neural signal pattern comprises risk offatigue of the employee.
 19. The medium of claim 18, wherein the healthmonitoring system is further configured to: determine a level of motorfunction corresponding to the matching neural signal pattern; determinethat the level of motor function is below a threshold value; anddetermining, in response to determining that that the level of motorfunction is below the threshold value, the risk of fatigue for theemployee.